CVE-2023-28461: Remote Code Execution in ArrayOS SSL VPN Gateways

Historical catalog analysis: CISA added this entry on November 25, 2024. The entry reflects catalog information retrieved on August 31, 2026, not a snapshot archived on the inclusion date. Check current vendor guidance before acting.

What the vulnerability is

CVE-2023-28461 is a vulnerability characterized by missing authentication for a critical function (CWE-306) within Array Networks AG and vxAG ArrayOS. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to read local files from the system and execute arbitrary code on the affected SSL VPN gateway.

Exposure and applicability

This vulnerability applies to organizations utilizing Array Networks AG or vxAG ArrayOS as their SSL VPN infrastructure. Because these gateways are typically deployed at the network edge to facilitate remote access, they are inherently exposed to external traffic. The risk is elevated by reports that this specific vulnerability has been utilized in known ransomware campaigns.

Potential breach-prevention strategy

Based on the reported entry path—missing authentication for a critical function—an attacker could potentially gain initial access and execute code without valid credentials. It remains unknown exactly which functions were left unauthenticated or the specific sequence of requests used to trigger the flaw.

Our analysis suggests the following prioritized actions to reduce the likelihood of a similar compromise:

1. Restrict Management Interface Access: To prevent initial access to critical functions, management interfaces should be isolated from the public internet and restricted to trusted administrative networks.
   • Responsible Role: Network Security Engineer.
   • Verification: Attempting to reach the management portal from an external, non-authorized IP address to confirm it is unreachable.
2. Implement Egress Filtering: To limit damage after a potential compromise, restrict the gateway’s ability to initiate outbound connections to the internet, which could hinder an attacker’s ability to download payloads or communicate with command-and-control servers.
   • Responsible Role: Firewall Administrator.
   • Verification: Reviewing egress firewall logs for unauthorized connection attempts originating from the VPN gateway.
3. Deploy Behavioral Monitoring for Gateway Logs: To improve detection, configure alerts for unusual patterns of local file access or unexpected process execution on the gateway.
   • Responsible Role: SOC Analyst / SIEM Administrator.
   • Verification: Generating a simulated unauthorized file access event (where safe and authorized) to ensure the alert triggers in the monitoring system.

Remediation priorities

Priority must be given to assets exposed to the public internet. The supported corrective action is to apply mitigations according to vendor instructions. In scenarios where mitigations are unavailable or cannot be applied, the source indicates that discontinuing use of the product is the necessary alternative to eliminate exposure.

How to validate remediation

Verification must go beyond confirming a version number or the presence of a patch. To ensure exposure was actually reduced, defenders should:
* Verify Function Access: Confirm that the specific critical functions previously lacking authentication now require valid, high-privilege credentials before granting access.
* Audit Configuration: Review vendor-provided mitigation checklists to ensure every required configuration change has been applied and persisted across reboots.

Limits and open questions

Applying a patch or mitigation could reduce the likelihood of exploitation but may not eliminate all residual risk if other undiscovered vulnerabilities exist in the same component. It remains unclear if there are compensating controls that can fully mitigate this flaw without applying the vendor’s specific updates.

Source and editorial note

CVE-2023-28461: Array Networks AG and vxAG ArrayOS Missing Authentication for Critical Function Vulnerability · Source date: November 25, 2024 · Retrieved August 31, 2026.

Material facts are tied to the cited primary source. Recommendations are independent defensive analysis unless attributed to the source. Confirm consequential decisions against current authoritative guidance.

Archive date: November 28, 2024. The displayed post date is assigned three days after the source date to organize this retrospective archive; it does not mean this site published the analysis then. First published by this site: November 02, 2026 at 00:28 UTC.

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