CVE-2023-27350: PaperCut NG · Improper Access Control
Affects PaperCut NGSource CVE Database V5
Exploited in the wild · used in ransomware campaigns · KEV due 12 May 2023 · public exploit available (Metasploit, Exploit-DB) · 99% EPSS : apply the vendor's fix or mitigations to PaperCut NG now.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- KEV deadline
- US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else.
- Ransomware
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- EPSS
- 99.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 99% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 20 Apr 2023
Detectable: evidence found.
nuclei template: PaperCut - Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution
Weaponised: evidence found.
1 Metasploit module · 2 Exploit-DB entries, the first 5 days after disclosure
Exploited in the wildExploited: evidence found.
Listed in CISA KEV 1 day after disclosure
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by Zero Day Initiative
, 51 days before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
Added to CISA KEV (opens in a new tab)
exploitation confirmed · ransomware use known
, 1 day after disclosure
First Exploit-DB entry (opens in a new tab)
PaperCut NG/MG 22.0.4 - Authentication Bypass +1 more
, 5 days after disclosure
KEV remediation due
US federal deadline
, 22 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), CISA KEV (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Description
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of PaperCut NG 22.0.5 (Build 63914). Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SetupCompleted class. The issue results from improper access control. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-18987.
References
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-233/ (opens in a new tab)
- papercut.com/kb/Main/PO-1216-and-PO-1219 (opens in a new tab)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/171982/PaperCut-MF-NG-Authentication-Bypass-Remote-Code-Execution.html (opens in a new tab)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/172022/PaperCut-NG-MG-22.0.4-Authentication-Bypass.html (opens in a new tab)
- news.sophos.com/en-us/2023/04/27/increased-exploitation-of-papercut-drawing-blood-around-the-internet/ (opens in a new tab)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/172512/PaperCut-NG-MG-22.0.4-Remote-Code-Execution.html (opens in a new tab)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/172780/PaperCut-PaperCutNG-Authentication-Bypass.html (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-27350 (opens in a new tab)