CVE-2023-40260
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-40260 allows attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication in EmpowerID by using stolen credentials to change account email addresses. This vulnerability affects EmpowerID deployments before version 7.205.0.1, potentially enabling account takeover.
💻 Affected Systems
- EmpowerID
📦 What is this software?
Empowerid by Empowerid
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete account takeover of any EmpowerID user, including administrators, leading to privilege escalation and full system compromise.
Likely Case
Targeted account takeover of specific users, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper MFA enforcement and email change verification controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires valid username/password credentials but is straightforward once credentials are obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.205.0.1
Vendor Advisory: https://www.empowerid.com/security-advisories
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup EmpowerID configuration and databases. 2. Download EmpowerID 7.205.0.1 or later from vendor portal. 3. Run installer with administrative privileges. 4. Restart EmpowerID services and IIS. 5. Verify functionality post-upgrade.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable email change functionality
windowsTemporarily disable the ability for users to change email addresses in EmpowerID
Modify EmpowerID configuration to remove email change permissions
Enforce additional email verification
windowsRequire MFA verification before allowing email address changes
Configure EmpowerID policy to require MFA for email modifications
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict credential monitoring and alerting for suspicious email change activities
- Enforce network segmentation to limit access to EmpowerID administration interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check EmpowerID version in administration console or via PowerShell: Get-Command -Module EmpowerIDCheck Version:
Check EmpowerID web interface or examine installed programs in Control PanelVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 7.205.0.1 or later and test that email changes now require MFA verification📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed MFA attempts followed by successful email change
- Email address modifications without corresponding MFA verification logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual patterns of email change API calls
- Multiple authentication requests from single source followed by profile modification
SIEM Query:
source="empowerid" (event_type="email_change" AND NOT event_type="mfa_verification")