# CVE-2017-17023: Code injection in n/a

> A man-in-the-middle attacker can execute arbitrary code on a user's computer by intercepting unsigned software updates delivered over HTTP.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 9 Apr 2019
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3qwr-mfh2-wggm

## What is CVE-2017-17023?

CVE-2017-17023 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 9 Apr 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Sophos UTM VPN endpoint interacts with client software provided by NPC Engineering (www.ncp-e.com). The affected client software, "Sophos IPSec Client" 11.04 is a rebranded version of NCP "Secure Entry Client" 10.11 r32792. A vulnerability in the software update feature of the VPN client allows a man-in-the-middle (MITM) or man-on-the-side (MOTS) attacker to execute arbitrary, malicious software on a target user's computer. This is related to SIC_V11.04-64.exe (Sophos), NCP_EntryCl_Windows_x86_1004_31799.exe (NCP), and ncpmon.exe (both Sophos and NCP). The vulnerability exists because: (1) the VPN client requests update metadata over an insecure HTTP connection; and (2) the client software does not check if the software update is signed before running it.

Weakness: CWE-345 (Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-17023?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Ncp-E Ncp Secure Entry Client, Sophos Ipsec Client.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-17023?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-17023 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-17023 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-17023 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2025-26155](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-26155/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-17023 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-17023 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 9 Apr 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-17023 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17023/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17023/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-17023
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-17023
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-17023

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17023/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.