How severe is CVE-2023-21896?

CVE-2023-21896 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-21896 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (6th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-21896?

CVE-2023-21896 primarily affects Oracle Solaris. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21896?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2023-21896 published?

CVE-2023-21896 was published on 2023-04-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-21896

CVE-2023-21896 is a high-severity vulnerability in Oracle Solaris with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (6th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Oracle Solaris
Published: 2023-04-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: NSSwitch). Supported versions that are affected are 10 and 11. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle Solaris executes to compromise Oracle Solaris. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle Solaris. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-21896?: Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: NSSwitch). Supported versions that are affected are 10 and 11. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle Solaris executes to compromise Oracle Solaris. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle Solaris. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How severe is CVE-2023-21896?: CVE-2023-21896 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-21896 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (6th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-21896?: CVE-2023-21896 primarily affects Oracle Solaris. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-21896?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-21896 published?: CVE-2023-21896 was published on 2023-04-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2023.html

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:oracle:solaris:10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:oracle:solaris:11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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