CVE-2023-20198

Known Exploited

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.

Category

10.0
CVSS
Severity: Critical
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 94.09% Top 5%
KEV Since 
Vendor Advisory cisco.com
Affected: Cisco Cisco IOS XE Software
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Link Tags
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4z mitigation vendor advisory

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-20198?
CVE-2023-20198 has been scored as a critical severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2023-20198?
To fix CVE-2023-20198, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2023-20198 being actively exploited in the wild?
It is confirmed that CVE-2023-20198 is actively exploited. Be extra cautious if you are using vulnerable components. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~94% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2023-20198?
CVE-2023-20198 affects Cisco Cisco IOS XE Software.
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