CVE-2023-20198

Published: Oct 16, 2023Updated: Oct 28, 2025 Sources: CVE List NVD BDU csafCWE-420

10.0CRITICAL

NVD MITRE

Description

Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. We are updating the list of fixed releases and adding the Software Checker. Our investigation has determined that the actors exploited two previously unknown issues. The attacker first exploited CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access and issued a privilege 15 command to create a local user and password combination. This allowed the user to log in with normal user access. The attacker then exploited another component of the web UI feature, leveraging the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco has assigned CVE-2023-20273 to this issue. CVE-2023-20198 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 10.0. CVE-2023-20273 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 7.2. Both of these CVEs are being tracked by CSCwh87343.

No summary for this CVE yet.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

AV:NAttack Vector

Network

AC:LAttack Complexity

Low

PR:NPrivileges Required

None

UI:NUser Interaction

None

Scope

S:CScope

Changed

Impact

C:HConfidentiality

High

I:HIntegrity

High

A:HAvailability

High

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Weaknesses

CWE-420 NVD-CWE-Other

Affected Products

Cisco IOS XE Cisco Systems Inc.Networking Infrastructure

Cisco IOS XE Software Cisco Networking Infrastructure

allen-bradley stratix 5200 firmware rockwellautomation ICS / OT / IoT

allen-bradley stratix 5800 firmware rockwellautomation ICS / OT / IoT

ios xe cisco

On-premFirmware

Networking Infrastructure / router-switch

cisco systems inc.commercialUSNetworking Infrastructureaka cisco systems, cisco

ciscocommercialUSNetworking Infrastructureaka cisco systems, cisco systems inc.

rockwellautomationcommercialUSICS / OT / IoTaka rockwell automation

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Added to KEV:Oct 16, 2023

Remediation due:Oct 20, 2023

Required action: Verify that instances of Cisco IOS XE Web UI are in compliance with BOD 23-02 and apply mitigations per vendor instructions. For affected products (Cisco IOS XE Web UI exposed to the internet or to untrusted networks), follow vendor instructions to determine if a system may have been compromised and immediately report positive findings to CISA.

1 exploit source identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details

Official Patch Available

Workaround Available

Am I actually vulnerable?1 Nuclei template available — see how to check your systems. How to verify Rather we check it for you?We'll check your whole external perimeter for exposure — free. Check my exposure