Sterling Secure Proxy
CVE-2023-32338
MEDIUM
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Credential protection in transit/storage
|
| Impact | CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A local attacker with access to the system could obtain user credentials due to weak protection mechanisms. |
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Alert meAnalysisAI
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server 6.0.3 and 6.1.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a local user with container access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
RemediationAI
No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Hash passwords with strong algorithms (bcrypt, argon2), encrypt credentials in transit and at rest, never log credentials.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Insufficiently Protected Credentials (CWE-522), which allows attackers to obtain user credentials due to weak protection mechanisms. IBM Sterling Secure Proxy and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server 6.0.3 and 6.1.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a local user with container access. IBM X-Force ID: 255585. Affected products include: Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server, Ibm Sterling Secure Proxy.
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionNVD
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server 6.0.3 and 6.1.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a local user with container access. IBM X-Force ID: 255585.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.
Affected Products (CPE)NVD
More in Sterling Secure Proxy
View allIBM Sterling External Authentication Server 6.0.1, 6.0.0, 2.4.3.2, and 2.4.2 and IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.0,
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Configuration Manager in IBM Sterling Secure Proxy (SSP) 3.4.2 before 3.4.2.0 i
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.0.0, 6.0.0.1, 6.0.0.2, 6.0.0.3, and 6.1.0.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse dire
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decry
IBM Sterling External Authentication Server and IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 could allow a re
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that cou
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that cou
IBM Secure External Authentication Server 2.4.3.2, 6.0.1, 6.0.2 and IBM Secure Proxy 3.4.3.2, 6.0.1, 6.0.2 could allow a
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server are vulnerable a
The Configuration Manager in IBM Sterling Secure Proxy (SSP) 3.4.2 before 3.4.2.0 iFix 8 and 3.4.3 before 3.4.3.0 iFix 1
The Configuration Manager in IBM Sterling Secure Proxy (SSP) 3.4.2 before 3.4.2.0 iFix 8 and 3.4.3 before 3.4.3.0 iFix 1
Authenticated HTML injection in IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.2.0.0 through 6.2.1.2 lets a logged-in user plant unescaped
GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB