Known Exploited Vulnerability
10.0
CRITICAL
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.

Remotely Exploitable :

Yes !

Impact Score :

6.0

Exploitability Score :

3.9
CISA Notification
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.

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.

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.

Notes :

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.

Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2023-20198 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Cisco ios_xe
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! 💻🔐

Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 13, 2024, 9:17 a.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

None

Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 9, 2024, 1:28 a.m. This repo has been linked 128 different CVEs too.

None

HTML

Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Sept. 4, 2024, 9:24 a.m. This repo has been linked 128 different CVEs too.

None

Python

Updated: 2 months, 3 weeks ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Aug. 26, 2024, 8:16 a.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

None

HTML

Updated: 3 months, 1 week ago
5 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Aug. 2, 2024, 6:07 a.m. This repo has been linked 123 different CVEs too.

None

Updated: 4 months, 1 week ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : June 26, 2024, 5:33 a.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

None

Python

Updated: 5 months ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : June 21, 2024, 8:07 a.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

None

Updated: 3 months, 4 weeks ago
1 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : June 14, 2024, 6:54 a.m. This repo has been linked 95 different CVEs too.

A command line tool that converts Sigma Rules into STIX 2.1 Objects.

sigma-rules stix2

Python

Updated: 2 months, 3 weeks ago
2 stars 2 fork 2 watcher
Born at : June 3, 2024, 7:19 a.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

Flipper Zero payloads and configs!

Python Shell HTML JavaScript PowerShell TeX

Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : May 2, 2024, 4:53 p.m. This repo has been linked 2 different CVEs too.

CVE-2023-20198-RCE, support adding/deleting users and executing cli commands/system commands.

Python

Updated: 5 months, 3 weeks ago
1 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : April 28, 2024, 1:25 a.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

CVE-2023-20198-RCE, support adding/deleting users and executing cli commands/system commands.

Python

Updated: 4 months ago
37 stars 10 fork 10 watcher
Born at : April 25, 2024, 6:59 a.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

None

HTML Python

Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago
13 stars 1 fork 1 watcher
Born at : April 17, 2024, 8:46 a.m. This repo has been linked 100 different CVEs too.

A command line tool that converts the entire SigmaHQ Rule repository into STIX 2.1 Objects

sigma sigma-rules stix stix2 stix2-extensions

Python

Updated: 8 months, 1 week ago
1 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : March 11, 2024, 1:32 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

A command line tool that converts the entire SigmaHQ Ruleset into STIX 2.1 Objects

Python

Updated: 9 months ago
0 stars 0 fork 0 watcher
Born at : Feb. 18, 2024, 9:47 p.m. This repo has been linked 1 different CVEs too.

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.

  • TheCyberThrone
Top 15 Most Exploited Vulnerabilities in 2023

In a joint cybersecurity advisory, the security agencies across the world have identified the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023. This advisory, coauthored by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure ... Read more

Published Date: Nov 16, 2024 (5 days, 11 hours ago)
  • The Register
Five Eyes infosec agencies list 2024's most exploited software flaws

The cyber security agencies of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have issued their annual list of the 15 most exploited vulnerabilities, and warned that attacks on zero-day exploits have ... Read more

Published Date: Nov 14, 2024 (1 week ago)
  • Help Net Security
Zero-days dominate top frequently exploited vulnerabilities

A joint report by leading cybersecurity agencies from the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand has identified the most commonly exploited vulnerabilities of 2023. Zero-day vulnerabilities on t ... Read more

Published Date: Nov 14, 2024 (1 week ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Nov 14, 2024 (1 week ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Nov 13, 2024 (1 week ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Nov 13, 2024 (1 week, 1 day ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Nov 12, 2024 (1 week, 1 day ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Nov 12, 2024 (1 week, 1 day ago)
  • 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

Published Date: Oct 07, 2024 (1 month, 1 week ago)

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.

  • 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]
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
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.

88.58 }} 1.06%

score

0.98816

percentile

CVSS31 - Vulnerability Scoring System
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability