How severe is CVE-2023-44218?

CVE-2023-44218 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-44218 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-44218?

CVE-2023-44218 affects Sonicwall Netextender. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-44218?

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-2023-44218 published?

CVE-2023-44218 was published on 2023-10-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-44218

CVE-2023-44218 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sonicwall Netextender with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-267.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (10th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-267
Affected product: Sonicwall Netextender
Published: 2023-10-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A flaw within the SonicWall NetExtender Pre-Logon feature enables an unauthorized user to gain access to the host Windows operating system with 'SYSTEM' level privileges, leading to a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-44218?: A flaw within the SonicWall NetExtender Pre-Logon feature enables an unauthorized user to gain access to the host Windows operating system with 'SYSTEM' level privileges, leading to a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2023-44218?: CVE-2023-44218 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-44218 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-44218?: CVE-2023-44218 affects Sonicwall Netextender. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-44218?: 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-2023-44218 published?: CVE-2023-44218 was published on 2023-10-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2023-0014

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:sonicwall:netextender:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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