How severe is CVE-2023-5970?

CVE-2023-5970 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-5970 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-5970?

CVE-2023-5970 primarily affects Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-5970?

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-2023-5970 published?

CVE-2023-5970 was published on 2023-12-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-5970

CVE-2023-5970 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware
Published: 2023-12-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Improper authentication in the SMA100 SSL-VPN virtual office portal allows a remote authenticated attacker to create an identical external domain user using accent characters, resulting in an MFA bypass.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-5970?: Improper authentication in the SMA100 SSL-VPN virtual office portal allows a remote authenticated attacker to create an identical external domain user using accent characters, resulting in an MFA bypass.
How severe is CVE-2023-5970?: CVE-2023-5970 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-5970 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-5970?: CVE-2023-5970 primarily affects Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-5970?: 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-2023-5970 published?: CVE-2023-5970 was published on 2023-12-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2023-0018

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_200_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_210_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_400_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_410_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_500v_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →