Is CVE-2023-28609 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2023-28609 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2023-28609 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2023-28609 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-28609?

CVE-2023-28609 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2023-28609

CRITICAL

CVE-2023-28609

CWE-287Published: March 18, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

api/auth.go in Ansible Semaphore before 2.8.89 mishandles authentication.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

Ansible Semaphore versions prior to 2.8.89 contain an authentication flaw in api/auth.go. This critical issue could allow unauthorized access, potentially leading to full system compromise given the high CVSS score.

No public exploit is known, and the vulnerability is not in the CISA KEV catalog. It is remotely exploitable with low attack complexity.

Recommended Action

Upgrade Ansible Semaphore to version 2.8.89 or later to resolve the authentication handling issue.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-28609 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-287): Authentication bypass vulnerabilities allow attackers to access protected resources without valid credentials.