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Ubuntu CVE-2023-5616

MEDIUM
Authentication Bypass by Spoofing (CWE-290)
2025-04-15 security@ubuntu.com
Authentication Bypass SSH Ubuntu Red Hat Canonical Ubuntu Linux Suse Control Center Gnome
4.9
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-290
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Anti-spoofing controls
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Impact

CVSS score of 4.9 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.04%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

Successful exploitation could compromise the medium-severity affected system.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 28, 2026

In Ubuntu, gnome-control-center did not properly reflect SSH remote login status when the system was configured to use systemd socket activation for openssh-server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 28, 2026 - 18:36 CVSS 4.9

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affects your stack

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-290. In Ubuntu, gnome-control-center did not properly reflect SSH remote login status when the system was configured to use systemd socket activation for openssh-server. This could unknowingly leave the local machine exposed to remote SSH access contrary to expectation of the user. Affected products include: Gnome Control Center, Canonical Ubuntu Linux.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 4.9 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
SUSE MEDIUM
Red Hat 4.9 MEDIUM

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Patch released
Apr 02, 2026 - 08:30 nvd
Patch available
PoC Detected
Aug 26, 2025 - 16:34 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Apr 15, 2025 - 19:16 nvd
MEDIUM 4.9

DescriptionCVE.org

In Ubuntu, gnome-control-center did not properly reflect SSH remote login status when the system was configured to use systemd socket activation for openssh-server. This could unknowingly leave the local machine exposed to remote SSH access contrary to expectation of the user.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2023-5616 presents moderate security risk rated CVSS 4.9. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: restrict network access and enable monitoring.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 89% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium
NVD CVE.org EPSS Vendor

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 MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
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
Defer
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

44
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +24
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication Bypass CRITICAL

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:gnome:control_center:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:gnome:control_center:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:gnome:control_center:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:gnome:control_center:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:22.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:23.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:23.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-290 – Authentication Bypass by Spoofing

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Vendor StatusVendor

SUSE

Severity: Medium
Product Status
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Desktop Applications 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP7 Fixed
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 Fixed

References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-5616 ADVISORY https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6554-1

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