CVE-2023-20198
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National Vulnerability Database Information
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.
CVSS Base Score: 10.0 (v3.1)
The **CVSS Base Score** is a score from **0 to 10** that represents the intrinsic severity of a vulnerability. A higher score indicates greater severity.
0.02.55.07.510.0
Published on: 10/16/2023 16:15:10
Last modified: 05/15/2025 18:37:33
NIST: CVE source from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
CVSS Metrics Details
- Base Severity: CRITICAL
- Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Attack Vector: NETWORK
- Attack Complexity: LOW
- Privileges Required: NONE
- User Interaction: NONE
- Scope: CHANGED
- Confidentiality Impact: HIGH
- Integrity Impact: HIGH
- Availability Impact: HIGH
FIRST Information
EPSS Score: 0.9410
The **EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System)** is a score from **0 to 1** that indicates the **probability** that a vulnerability will be exploited in the real world in the next 30 days. A higher value indicates a greater likelihood of exploitation.
0.00.250.50.751.0
Percentile: 0.9990
The **Percentile** indicates how much higher this vulnerability's EPSS score is compared to all other vulnerabilities in the EPSS database. For example, a percentile of 0.90 (90%) means that 90% of vulnerabilities have an EPSS score equal to or lower than the current one.
0.00.250.50.751.0
*Data updated as of: 2025-10-06
CISA Information (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
The **CISA KEV Catalog** lists vulnerabilities that have been **actively exploited in the real world**. If a CVE is present in this catalog, it indicates that the threat is immediate and mitigation should be a top priority.
CVE **CVE-2023-20198** **IS PRESENT** in the CISA KEV Catalog!
- Vulnerability Name: Cisco IOS XE Web UI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Short Description: Cisco IOS XE Web UI contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the web user interface that could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create an account with privilege level 15 access. The attacker can then use that account to gain control of the affected device.
- Date Added to KEV: 10/16/2023
- Vendor/Product: Cisco / IOS XE Web UI
- 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.
- Due Date: 10/20/2023
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