Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-43960

HighPublic PoC

Published: 11 October 2023

Published
11 October 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
KEV Added
Patch
CVSS Score v3.1 8.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0632 91.2th percentile
Risk Priority 21 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2023-43960 is a high-severity Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269) vulnerability in Dlink Dph-400Se Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 8.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

Deeper analysis

CVE-2023-43960 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the D-Link DPH-400SE IP phone running firmware version 2.2.15.8. The flaw resides in the User Modify function within the Maintenance/Access component and stems from improper privilege management (CWE-269). It received a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8, reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and low required privileges.

An authenticated attacker with low privileges can send crafted requests to the User Modify function over the network and elevate their access rights. Successful exploitation grants the attacker full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device, effectively allowing takeover of administrative functions.

Publicly available references include a technical write-up on HackMD and working exploit code published on Exploit-DB; no vendor advisory or official patch information appears in the listed sources. The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0632 with no material increase since disclosure.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

An issue in DLINK DPH-400SE FRU 2.2.15.8 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the User Modify function in the Maintenance/Access function component.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.

Affected Assets

dlink
dph-400se firmware
2.2.15.8

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.

addresses: CWE-269

Policy addresses roles, responsibilities, and privilege management to prevent improper privilege assignments.

addresses: CWE-269

Access supervision ensures privileges are assigned and managed without improper escalation or retention.

addresses: CWE-269

Assigning group/role memberships and access authorizations (privileges) while reviewing accounts addresses improper privilege management.

addresses: CWE-269

Enforces proper privilege management by requiring all decisions through the verified reference monitor.

addresses: CWE-269

By mandating division of duties across roles, the control enforces proper privilege management and prevents a single entity from controlling an entire sensitive process.

addresses: CWE-269

Implements core proper privilege management by restricting to only required rights.

addresses: CWE-269

Policy requires training on privilege management and least privilege, making it harder to exploit improper privilege management weaknesses.

addresses: CWE-269

Training covers proper privilege management practices, making incorrect privilege assignments less likely.

References