CVE-2023-20273
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National Vulnerability Database Information
Description: A vulnerability in the web UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject commands with the privileges of root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted input to the web UI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject commands to the underlying operating system with root privileges.
CVSS Base Score: 7.2 (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: 10/25/2023 18:17:23
Last modified: 04/02/2025 18:19:40
NIST: CVE source from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
CVSS Metrics Details
- Base Severity: HIGH
- Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Attack Vector: NETWORK
- Attack Complexity: LOW
- Privileges Required: HIGH
- User Interaction: NONE
- Scope: UNCHANGED
- Confidentiality Impact: HIGH
- Integrity Impact: HIGH
- Availability Impact: HIGH
FIRST Information
EPSS Score: 0.9204
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: 0.9970
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-2023-20273** **IS PRESENT** in the CISA KEV Catalog!
- Vulnerability Name: Cisco IOS XE Web UI Command Injection Vulnerability
- Short Description: Cisco IOS XE contains a command injection vulnerability in the web user interface. When chained with CVE-2023-20198, the attacker can leverage the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco identified CVE-2023-20273 as the vulnerability exploited to deploy the implant. CVE-2021-1435, previously associated with the exploitation events, is no longer believed to be related to this activity.
- Date Added to KEV: 10/23/2023
- Vendor/Product: Cisco / 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: 10/27/2023
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