What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-38997?

CVE-2023-38997 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 1.1%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2023-38997?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2023-38997. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 1.1%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-38997?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2023-38997. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Opnsense CVE-2023-38997

HIGH

Path Traversal (CWE-22)

2023-08-09 cve@mitre.org

Path Traversal Opnsense

7.2

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-22 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 7.2 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could access files and directories outside the intended path by sending crafted requests to the affected application.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 1.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

A directory traversal vulnerability in the Captive Portal templates of OPNsense Community Edition before 23.7 and Business Edition before 23.4.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Validate and canonicalize file paths. Use chroot or sandboxing. Reject input containing path separators or '../' sequences.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Path Traversal (CWE-22), which allows attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path. A directory traversal vulnerability in the Captive Portal templates of OPNsense Community Edition before 23.7 and Business Edition before 23.4.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands as root via a crafted ZIP archive. Affected products include: Opnsense. Version information: before 23.7.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.2 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

High

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionNVD

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

1.1%

Top 37% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

GitHub

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.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 1.1%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +1

CVSS: +36

PoC: +20

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path Traversal HIGH

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:opnsense:opnsense:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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OPNsense 19.1 contains a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject ma

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Same weakness CWE-22 – Path Traversal

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CVE-2020-5902 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2021-21972 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2021-40444 HIGH POC

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CVE-2022-41352 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2021-27065 HIGH POC

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CVE-2019-11510 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2018-20250 HIGH POC

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://github.com/opnsense/core/commit/448762d440b51574f1906c0ec2f5ea6dc4f16eb2

Search Externally

GitHub PoC

Exploit-DB PacketStorm Snyk Rapid7 Nuclei Templates Trickest PoC

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