Is CVE-2023-40743 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2023-40743 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2023-40743 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2023-40743 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-40743?

CVE-2023-40743 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

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CRITICAL

CVE-2023-40743

CWE-20Published: September 5, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** When integrating Apache Axis 1.x in an application, it may not have been obvious that looking up a service through "ServiceFactory.getService" allows potentially dangerous lookup mechanisms such as LDAP. When passing untrusted input to this API method, this could expose the application to DoS, SSRF and even attacks leading to RCE.

As Axis 1 has been EOL we recommend you migrate to a different SOAP engine, such as Apache Axis 2/Java. As a workaround, you may review your code to verify no untrusted or unsanitized input is passed to "ServiceFactory.getService", or by applying the patch from https://github.com/apache/axis-axis1-java/commit/7e66753427466590d6def0125e448d2791723210 . The Apache Axis project does not expect to create an Axis 1.x release fixing this problem, though contributors that would like to work towards this are welcome.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

Apache Axis 1.x is vulnerable to dangerous lookup mechanisms, such as LDAP, when processing untrusted input through the ServiceFactory.getService method. This can lead to remote code execution, SSRF, or denial of service.

There is no public exploit known, and it is not in the CISA KEV. It is remotely exploitable with low complexity.

Recommended Action

As Axis 1.x is end-of-life, users should migrate to a modern SOAP engine like Apache Axis 2/Java or apply the specific patch provided by the project.

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-2023-40743 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.