ssh-add in OpenSSH before 9.3 adds smartcard keys to ssh-agent without the intended…
Priority MEDIUM 47CWE-284Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-284.
Summary
ssh-add in OpenSSH before 9.3 adds smartcard keys to ssh-agent without the intended per-hop destination constraints. The earliest affected version is 8.9.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.0299 87th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.9 to before 9.3 | Vulnerable | OpenBSD |
| cpe:2.3:o:netapp:brocade_fabric_operating_system:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:netapp:hci_bootstrap_os:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:netapp:solidfire_element_os:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
- cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.9 to before 9.3 Vulnerable ·OpenBSD
- cpe:2.3:o:netapp:brocade_fabric_operating_system:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:netapp:hci_bootstrap_os:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:netapp:solidfire_element_os:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 4 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-28531
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-j839-ff8c-f62x
References
Sources
- CVE-2023-28531 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-28531 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-j839-ff8c-f62x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2023-28531 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences