CVE-2023-38354
Published: 19 September 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-38354 is a high-severity Improper Certificate Validation (CWE-295) vulnerability in Minitool Shadowmaker. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 9.1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
MiniTool Shadow Maker version 4.1 is affected by an insecure installation process that stems from improper certificate validation, tracked as CWE-295. The flaw permits remote code execution when the installer communicates over the network without adequate validation of update or component sources.
An attacker positioned to perform a man-in-the-middle attack can intercept installation traffic and supply malicious payloads, achieving code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack requires no user interaction or prior credentials but depends on network adjacency and elevated attack complexity as reflected in its CVSS 8.1 rating.
The two provided references point to the same researcher page and contain no advisory details, patch information, or mitigation guidance. The associated EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0597 with no material increase since disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-42171
Vulnerability details
MiniTool Shadow Maker version 4.1 contains an insecure installation process that allows attackers to achieve remote code execution through a man in the middle attack.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
When certificates are used to establish component provenance, the control requires correct certificate validation procedures.
Mandates approved trust anchors and issuance policies, directly preventing acceptance of unvalidated or untrusted certificates.
Correct system time is required for proper enforcement of certificate notBefore/notAfter dates and time-based revocation checks.