CVE-2023-20198
Cisco IOS XE Web UI Privilege Escalation Vulnerabi - [Actively 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.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 16, 2023, 4:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 17, 2024, 1:31 p.m.
Source :
[email protected]
Remotely Exploitable :
Yes !
Impact Score :
6.0
Exploitability Score :
3.9
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
For the benefit of the cybersecurity community and network defenders—and to help every organization better manage vulnerabilities and keep pace with threat activity—CISA maintains the authoritative source of vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild.
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.
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.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ios-nx-os-software/ios-xe-dublin-17121/221128-software-fix-availability-for-cisco-ios.html
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2023-20198 has a 56 public PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2023-20198.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4z | Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
🚨 Just completed a detailed investigation for Event ID 193: "SOC231 - Cisco IOS XE Web UI ZeroDay (CVE-2023-20198)" via @LetsDefend.io. The attacker successfully bypassed authentication, gaining admin control over the device! Immediate containment was critical. Stay vigilant! 💻🔐
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HTML
None
Python
None
HTML
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Python
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A command line tool that converts Sigma Rules into STIX 2.1 Objects.
sigma-rules stix2
Python
Flipper Zero payloads and configs!
Python Shell HTML JavaScript PowerShell TeX
CVE-2023-20198-RCE, support adding/deleting users and executing cli commands/system commands.
Python
CVE-2023-20198-RCE, support adding/deleting users and executing cli commands/system commands.
Python
None
HTML Python
A command line tool that converts the entire SigmaHQ Rule repository into STIX 2.1 Objects
sigma sigma-rules stix stix2 stix2-extensions
Python
A command line tool that converts the entire SigmaHQ Ruleset into STIX 2.1 Objects
Python
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2023-20198 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
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Cybersecurity News
2023’s Most Exploited Vulnerabilities: A Global Cybersecurity Advisory
In a joint cybersecurity advisory, the top cybersecurity agencies from the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have identified the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2 ... Read more
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Dark Reading
Zero-Days Win the Prize for Most Exploited Vulns
Source: JUN LI via Alamy Stock PhotoThe Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning that the most routinely exploited vulnerabilities in 2023 were zero-days in its latest research cond ... Read more
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The Cyber Express
Top 15 Exploited Cyber Vulnerabilities Revealed: Five Eyes Alliance Urges Immediate Patching
The FBI, NSA, and allied agencies within the Five Eyes intelligence network have published a list of the 15 most exploited vulnerabilities from 2023. The cybersecurity advisory, a collaborative effort ... Read more
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BleepingComputer
FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023
The FBI, the NSA, and cybersecurity authorities of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance have released today a list of the top 15 routinely exploited vulnerabilities throughout last year. A joint advis ... Read more
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security.nl
VS publiceert overzicht van meest misbruikte kwetsbaarheden in 2023
De Amerikaanse autoriteiten hebben samen met cyberagentschappen uit Australië, Canada, Nieuw-Zeeland en het Verenigd Koninkrijk een overzicht van de meest misbruikte kwetsbaarheden in 2023 opgesteld. ... Read more
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TheCyberThrone
Cisco reveals no patch available for CVE-2024-20393 and CVE-2024-20470
Cisco has revealed multiple vulnerabilities impacting its Small Business RV340, RV340W, RV345, and RV345P Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Routers, which could potentially expose businesses to serious security r ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2023-20198 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Removed CWE NIST NVD-CWE-noinfo Added CWE NIST NVD-CWE-Other -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
May. 14, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jan. 25, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Removed Reference Cisco Systems, Inc. http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html Added CWE Cisco Systems, Inc. CWE-420 -
Reanalysis by [email protected]
Nov. 15, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Reference Type http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry -
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Nov. 15, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Reference Type http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html No Types Assigned http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 17.9.4a OR *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 16.12 up to (excluding) 16.12.10a *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.3 up to (excluding) 17.3.8a *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.6 up to (excluding) 17.6.6a *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.9 up to (excluding) 17.9.4a -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Nov. 14, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference Cisco Systems, Inc. http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175674/Cisco-IOX-XE-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html [No types assigned] -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Nov. 07, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description Cisco is aware of active exploitation of a previously unknown vulnerability in the web UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software when exposed to the internet or to untrusted networks. This vulnerability allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create an account on an affected system with privilege level 15 access. The attacker can then use that account to gain control of the affected system. For steps to close the attack vector for this vulnerability, see the Recommendations section of this advisory Cisco will provide updates on the status of this investigation and when a software patch is available. 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. Removed Reference Cisco Systems, Inc. https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/10/actively-exploited-cisco-0-day-with-maximum-10-severity-gives-full-network-control/ Removed Reference Cisco Systems, Inc. https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/critical-unpatched-cisco-zero-day-bug-active-exploit Removed Reference Cisco Systems, Inc. https://www.cisa.gov/guidance-addressing-cisco-ios-xe-web-ui-vulnerabilities -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Oct. 25, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://www.cisa.gov/guidance-addressing-cisco-ios-xe-web-ui-vulnerabilities [No Types Assigned] -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Oct. 24, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Changed Reference Type https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/10/actively-exploited-cisco-0-day-with-maximum-10-severity-gives-full-network-control/ No Types Assigned https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/10/actively-exploited-cisco-0-day-with-maximum-10-severity-gives-full-network-control/ Press/Media Coverage, Third Party Advisory Changed Reference Type https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4z No Types Assigned https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4z Mitigation, Vendor Advisory Changed Reference Type https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/critical-unpatched-cisco-zero-day-bug-active-exploit No Types Assigned https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/critical-unpatched-cisco-zero-day-bug-active-exploit Third Party Advisory Added CWE NIST NVD-CWE-noinfo Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 17.9.4a -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Oct. 16, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/critical-unpatched-cisco-zero-day-bug-active-exploit [No Types Assigned] -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Oct. 16, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/10/actively-exploited-cisco-0-day-with-maximum-10-severity-gives-full-network-control/ [No Types Assigned]
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2023-20198 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2023-20198
weaknesses.
Exploit Prediction
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days.
87.52 }} 0.93%
score
0.98731
percentile