CVE-2023-41972
Zscaler Client Connector ≤ 4.3.0.121
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:LCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-41972 is a high-severity Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges (CWE-280) vulnerability in Zscaler Client Connector. Its CVSS base score is 7.3 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Fallback Channels (T1008); ranked at the 14th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to AC-24 (Access Control Decisions) and AC-25 (Reference Monitor) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-46431
Vulnerability Data
In some rare cases, there is a password type validation missing in Revert Password check and for some features it could be disabled. Fixed Version: Win ZApp 4.3.0.121 and later.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 6 hardening rules · 3 OS baselines
V6.2.2V8.3.3
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Ensuring access decisions are applied to every request structurally prevents the product from taking unexpected paths when privileges are lacking.
A reference monitor that is always invoked guarantees privilege checks occur, eliminating the root condition for improper insufficient-privilege handling.
Access enforcement directly stops code from proceeding on insufficient privileges by applying authorization checks before resource access.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Runtime monitoring of software and data surfaces adverse events triggered by unhandled permission failures.
Defining, enforcing and reviewing access permissions with least privilege directly prevents code paths that mishandle insufficient privileges.
Generating logs of permission-related events enables detection and analysis of improper handling.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
A.5.15 only requires determining requirements, defining a topic-specific policy on access control, and considering various factors; it does not itself enforce, implement, or prevent exploitation of mishandled insufficient permissions.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (2 rules)
- V-248548 OL 8 must use a Linux Security Module configured to enforce limits on system services. blocks CWE-280
- V-248596 OL 8 must enable the SELinux targeted policy. blocks CWE-280
Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
- V-271452 OL 9 must use a Linux Security Module configured to enforce limits on system services. blocks CWE-280
RHEL 9 (2 rules)
- V-258078 RHEL 9 must use a Linux Security Module configured to enforce limits on system services. blocks CWE-280
- V-272496 RHEL 9 must elevate the SELinux context when an administrator calls the sudo command. blocks CWE-280