CVE-2023-54342
Published: 05 May 2026
Summary
CVE-2023-54342 is a critical-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 9.3 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 36.3th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 CM-7 (Least Functionality) and SC-7 (Boundary Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-54342 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the console interface of Eclipse Equinox OSGi versions 3.8 through 3.18. The flaw stems from the fork command functionality, which allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is associated with CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function).
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by establishing a telnet connection to the exposed OSGi console, completing the telnet handshake, and issuing fork commands. This enables them to download and execute malicious Java code, such as establishing a reverse shell, with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required.
Advisories and related resources, including the Vulncheck advisory at https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/eclipse-equinox-osgi-console-remote-code-execution and a proof-of-concept exploit at https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/51878, provide further details on exploitation and potential mitigations.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-60563
Vulnerability details
Eclipse Equinox OSGi versions 3.8 through 3.18 contain a remote code execution vulnerability in the console interface that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the fork command functionality. Attackers can establish a telnet connection to the OSGi…
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console, perform a telnet handshake, and send fork commands to download and execute malicious Java code, establishing a reverse shell connection.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Direct unauthenticated RCE via exposed public console (T1190); enables arbitrary command execution including reverse shells via Unix shell (T1059.004).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly remediates the RCE vulnerability in Eclipse Equinox OSGi versions 3.8 through 3.18 by applying vendor patches or upgrading to unaffected versions.
Prevents remote attackers from reaching the vulnerable OSGi telnet console by monitoring and controlling communications at system boundaries, such as blocking telnet traffic.
Eliminates the unauthenticated fork command attack surface by disabling the non-essential OSGi console interface.