CVE-2023-38281: IBM Cloud Pak System does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-38281 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting cloud pak system, os image for red hat linux systems. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

IBM Cloud Pak System does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The cookie will be sent to the insecure link and the attacker can then obtain the cookie value by snooping the traffic.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 75%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-209
Published	2026-02-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): IBM Corporation · Vendor: ibm

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-02-04 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ibm cloud pak system DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.3.4.0 · 2.3.4.1 · 2.3.4.1 ifix1 · 2.3.5.0 · 2.3.6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cloud-pak-system || rpm -q cloud-pak-system || cloud-pak-system --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.3.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cloud-pak-system sudo apt install cloud-pak-system=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold cloud-pak-system

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cloud-pak-system sudo dnf downgrade cloud-pak-system-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.3.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cloud-pak-system

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

ibm os image for red hat linux systems DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0.4.0 · 4.0.5.0 · 4.0.6.0 · 4.0.7.0 · 5.0.0.0 · 5.0.1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems || rpm -q os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems || os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems sudo apt install os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems sudo dnf downgrade os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add os-image-for-red-hat-linux-systems

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-38281?

cloud pak system: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; os image for red hat linux systems: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-38281 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38281 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-38281 affect?

CVE-2023-38281 affects cloud pak system, os image for red hat linux systems. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). IBM Cloud Pak System does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The c

How urgent is CVE-2023-38281?

Priority 35/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

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CVE-2025-2895 MEDIUM 5.4 DOWNGRADE IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.6, 2.3.36 iFix1, 2.3.3.7, 2.3.3.7 iFix1, 2.3.4.0, 2.3.4.1, and 2.3.4.1 iFix1 is vul
CVE-2023-38716 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.6, 2.3.36 iFix1, 2.3.3.6 iFix2, 2.3.3.7, 2.3.3.7 iFix1, and 2.3.4.0 could disclose
CVE-2023-38714 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.0, 2.3.3.3, 2.3.3.3 iFix1, 2.3.3.4, 2.3.3.5, 2.3.3.6, 2.3.3.6 iFix1, 2.3.3.6 iFix2,
CVE-2023-38713 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.0, 2.3.3.3, 2.3.3.3 iFix1, 2.3.3.4, 2.3.3.5, 2.3.3.6, 2.3.3.6 iFix1, 2.3.3.6 iFix2,

References

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