CriticalCVE-2023-20273

    Cisco IOS XE Web UI Command Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2023-20273)

    Published In CISA KEV since Sources: SingCERT, NCSC NZ, pwn.watch, CVE.org

    What is affected, what to do

    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.

    The vulnerability is being actively exploited; treat it as a priority. The available sources name no fixed version. Check the vendor guidance in the references below. Immediate actions, mitigation and detection rules are in the runbook below.

    Affected
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.1.1..16.1.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.1.2..16.1.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.1.3..16.1.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.2.1..16.2.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.2.2..16.2.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.1..16.3.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.2..16.3.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.3..16.3.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.1a..16.3.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.4..16.3.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.5..16.3.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.5b..16.3.5b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.6..16.3.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.7..16.3.7
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.8..16.3.8
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.9..16.3.9
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.10..16.3.10
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.3.11..16.3.11
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.4.1..16.4.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.4.2..16.4.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.4.3..16.4.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.5.1..16.5.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.5.1a..16.5.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.5.1b..16.5.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.5.2..16.5.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.5.3..16.5.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.1..16.6.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.2..16.6.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.3..16.6.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.4..16.6.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.5..16.6.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.4a..16.6.4a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.5a..16.6.5a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.6..16.6.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.7..16.6.7
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.8..16.6.8
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.9..16.6.9
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.6.10..16.6.10
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.1..16.7.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.1a..16.7.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.1b..16.7.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.2..16.7.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.3..16.7.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.7.4..16.7.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1..16.8.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1a..16.8.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1b..16.8.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1s..16.8.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1c..16.8.1c
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1d..16.8.1d
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.2..16.8.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.1e..16.8.1e
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.8.3..16.8.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.1..16.9.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.2..16.9.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.1a..16.9.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.1b..16.9.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.1s..16.9.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.3..16.9.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.4..16.9.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.3a..16.9.3a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.5..16.9.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.5f..16.9.5f
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.6..16.9.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.7..16.9.7
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.9.8..16.9.8
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1..16.10.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1a..16.10.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1b..16.10.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1s..16.10.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1c..16.10.1c
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1e..16.10.1e
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1d..16.10.1d
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.2..16.10.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1f..16.10.1f
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.1g..16.10.1g
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.10.3..16.10.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.11.1..16.11.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.11.1a..16.11.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.11.1b..16.11.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.11.2..16.11.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.11.1s..16.11.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1..16.12.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1s..16.12.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1a..16.12.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1c..16.12.1c
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1w..16.12.1w
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.2..16.12.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1y..16.12.1y
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.2a..16.12.2a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.3..16.12.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.8..16.12.8
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.2s..16.12.2s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1x..16.12.1x
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1t..16.12.1t
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.4..16.12.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.3s..16.12.3s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.3a..16.12.3a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.4a..16.12.4a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.5..16.12.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.6..16.12.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1z1..16.12.1z1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.5a..16.12.5a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.5b..16.12.5b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.1z2..16.12.1z2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.6a..16.12.6a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.7..16.12.7
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.9..16.12.9
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 16.12.10..16.12.10
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.1.1..17.1.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.1.1a..17.1.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.1.1s..17.1.1s
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.1.1t..17.1.1t
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.1.3..17.1.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.1..17.2.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.1r..17.2.1r
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.1a..17.2.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.1v..17.2.1v
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.2..17.2.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.2.3..17.2.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.1..17.3.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.2..17.3.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.3..17.3.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.1a..17.3.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.1w..17.3.1w
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.2a..17.3.2a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.1x..17.3.1x
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.1z..17.3.1z
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.4..17.3.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.5..17.3.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.4a..17.3.4a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.6..17.3.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.4b..17.3.4b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.4c..17.3.4c
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.5a..17.3.5a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.5b..17.3.5b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.7..17.3.7
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.3.8..17.3.8
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.4.1..17.4.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.4.2..17.4.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.4.1a..17.4.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.4.1b..17.4.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.4.2a..17.4.2a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.5.1..17.5.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.5.1a..17.5.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.5.1b..17.5.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.5.1c..17.5.1c
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1..17.6.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.2..17.6.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1w..17.6.1w
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1a..17.6.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1x..17.6.1x
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.3..17.6.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1y..17.6.1y
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1z..17.6.1z
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.3a..17.6.3a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.4..17.6.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.1z1..17.6.1z1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.5..17.6.5
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.6.6..17.6.6
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.7.1..17.7.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.7.1a..17.7.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.7.1b..17.7.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.7.2..17.7.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.10.1..17.10.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.10.1a..17.10.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.10.1b..17.10.1b
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.8.1..17.8.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.8.1a..17.8.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1..17.9.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1w..17.9.1w
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.2..17.9.2
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1a..17.9.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1x..17.9.1x
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1y..17.9.1y
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.3..17.9.3
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.2a..17.9.2a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1x1..17.9.1x1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.3a..17.9.3a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.4..17.9.4
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.9.1y1..17.9.1y1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.11.1..17.11.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.11.1a..17.11.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.12.1..17.12.1
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.12.1a..17.12.1a
    • Cisco IOS XE Software eq 17.11.99SW..17.11.99SW

    Not sure whether and how you are affected? Ask a question about this vulnerability

    Metrics

    7.2

    Priority

    XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.

    Source: NVD, CVSS v3

    7.2

    CVSS v3

    Severity High on the scale from 0 to 10.

    Source: SingCERT, NCSC NZ, pwn.watch, CVE.org

    92.9 %

    EPSS score

    High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.

    Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 99.83

    Show all metrics
    Severity
    Critical
    Priority (0–325)

    The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?

    Read in glossary
    219.42 Methodology
    Exploit maturity

    An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.

    Read in glossary
    actively exploitedSource: CERT.at, ANSSI / CERT-FR, NCSC NZ, CSA/SingCERT How we classify
    XIEM Effective CVSS

    XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.

    Read in glossary
    7.2 Methodology
    CVSS v3

    CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.

    Read in glossary
    7.2
    EPSS score

    The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.

    Read in glossary
    92.9 %
    High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
    EPSS percentile

    The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.

    Read in glossary
    99.83
    Critical — this CVE ranks in the top fifth of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 80%).
    KEV status

    The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.

    Read in glossary
    Actively exploited
    Published
    In CISA KEV since

    The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.

    Read in glossary
    CISA assessment (SSVC)
    Exploitation: active · not automatable · Technical impact: total
    Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 15 November 2023
    CWE

    CWE is a catalogue of typical weakness types in software and hardware — such as flawed input validation, unsafe memory handling or poor authentication. Where a CVE names a concrete vulnerability in a concrete product, a CWE describes the underlying class of defect.

    Read in glossary
    CWE-78

    Response and mitigation

    Why act now?

    Prioritisation rationale

    Although the CVE formally requires high privileges, attackers chain it directly with CVE-2023-20198, which creates an admin account without authentication — together they give network-reachable, root-level takeover of core network infrastructure. The campaign compromised internet-exposed IOS XE devices at mass scale and the exploitation likelihood sits among the very highest of all CVEs; targets are routers and switches used as footholds for espionage, traffic manipulation and lateral movement rather than ransomware. Treat any device with an internet-reachable web UI as critical and potentially already compromised; where the web UI is reachable only from a properly isolated management network, rate it high and patch in an accelerated but scheduled window.

    1. Runbook step 1

      Immediate response (0-24 h)

      • Disable the web UI on every IOS XE device that does not strictly need it: in global config run no ip http server and no ip http secure-server, then copy running-config startup-config. This breaks the chain of CVE-2023-20198 (unauthenticated creation of a privileged account) and CVE-2023-20273 (root command injection used to drop the implant).
      • Inventory exposed devices: identify all IOS XE routers, switches and WLCs whose HTTP/HTTPS management (TCP 80/443, or custom ip http port/ip http secure-port values) is reachable from the internet or untrusted segments. Cross-check an external scan against show running-config | include ip http.
      • Check for compromise before any reload: the implant is not reboot-persistent, but attacker-created local accounts are. Capture show running-config | section username and look for unknown privilege-15 accounts, run the implant check (see detection), and preserve config and show logging output as evidence.
      • Apply the vendor fix: fixed releases are available — look up the exact version for your release train in the Cisco Security Advisory for CVE-2023-20198/CVE-2023-20273 or the Cisco Software Checker. The listed 16.1.x–16.3.x releases are end-of-support; plan a move to a supported, fixed train.
      • If compromise is suspected: remove rogue accounts, rotate all local credentials, enable secret, SNMP communities, RADIUS/TACACS+ shared secrets and on-box keys; rebuild the device per Cisco guidance rather than just cleaning it. Assess NIS2 reporting obligations (24 h early warning).

    2. Runbook step 2

      Mitigation layers

      • Network segmentation: permit web UI access only from a dedicated management VLAN or jump host; block inbound TCP 80/443 to infrastructure address ranges at the perimeter.
      • On-device access restriction where the web UI is unavoidable: ip http access-class ipv4 <ACL> with a standard ACL allowing only management source networks. Test impact first on features that rely on HTTP (e.g. WebUI-dependent WLC functions).
      • IPS/WAF: enable your platform's signatures for CVE-2023-20198/20273 (Snort/Cisco Secure Firewall ship rules for the web UI exploitation); additionally alert on HTTP POSTs to /webui/ and /%2577ebui_wsma_http from unauthorised sources.
      • IAM/least privilege: reduce local accounts to a single break-glass account, enforce AAA via TACACS+ with command authorisation and accounting so new accounts and config changes are centrally logged.
      • Configuration monitoring: diff running config against a baseline daily (Oxidized/RANCID or your NCM); treat changes to username lines and ip http settings as high-priority events.

    3. Runbook step 3

      Detection rules

      • Implant check (active): curl -k -X POST "https://<DEVICE>/webui/logoutconfirm.html?logon_hash=1" — a hexadecimal string in the response indicates the implant. Later implant variants require a specific Authorization header and respond benignly otherwise, so a negative result does not rule out compromise.
      • Syslog (SIEM): alert on %SYS-5-CONFIG_P/%SYS-5-CONFIG_I originating from WSMA/WebUI, %SEC_LOGIN-5-WEBLOGIN_SUCCESS and %WEBUI-6-INSTALL_OPERATION_INFO. SPL: index=network sourcetype=cisco:ios ("%WEBUI-6-INSTALL_OPERATION_INFO" OR ("%SYS-5-CONFIG_P" AND "WSMA")).
      • Account creation: new privilege-15 local users, notably names such as cisco_tac_admin or cisco_support, followed shortly by web UI logins; Sigma shape: logsource: network/cisco + keywords: "username" AND "privilege 15" + allowlist comparison.
      • File system/config: presence or modification of cisco_service.conf in the device's nginx configuration path as an implant indicator (verify during TAC-assisted forensics).
      • Network telemetry (Zeek/Suricata/NetFlow): inbound internet HTTP(S) sessions to infrastructure management IPs, unusual POSTs to /webui/, and anomalous outbound connections sourced from router/switch management addresses.

    Detection rules

    No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.

    Classification under NIS2 and CRA

    Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.

    NIS2

    NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.

    Read in glossary
    Actively exploited: treat the vulnerability as a priority in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2. If it is exploited in your environment, check the reporting obligation under Art. 23 (early warning within 24 hours).
    CRA

    The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.

    Read in glossary
    Since 11.09.2026, manufacturers of affected products with digital elements must report actively exploited vulnerabilities under Art. 14 CRA, with an early warning within 24 hours via ENISA's single reporting platform.
    ISO/IEC 27001

    ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.

    Read in glossary
    Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.

    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.

    Source: CSA/SingCERT, NCSC NZ (CC BY 4.0), pwn.watch, NVD (NIST), cvelistv5, CISA KEV Catalog, CVE.org (MITRE)

    Affected products

    The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.

    Affected products
    Affected versionsFixed in
    CiscoCisco IOS XE Software
    • 16.12.1x
    • 16.8.1a
    • 17.3.1z
    • 17.2.1
    • 17.3.8
    • 17.3.3
    • 17.9.1y
    • 16.6.2
    • 17.9.1x
    • 16.11.1b
    • 16.10.3
    • 16.9.3a
    • 17.6.1y
    • 16.10.1e
    • 17.12.1a
    • 16.12.1t
    • 17.3.5b
    • 16.5.3
    • 17.9.1y1
    • 17.4.1
    • 16.12.1w
    • 17.6.1x
    • 16.3.5b
    • 16.2.2
    • 16.12.1s
    • 16.4.2
    • 17.11.1
    • 16.7.2
    • 17.3.4b
    • 17.9.1w
    • 17.10.1
    • 16.10.2
    • 16.9.6
    • 17.1.1
    • 17.6.2
    • 17.3.7
    • 16.8.3
    • 16.11.1s
    • 17.9.3
    • 17.6.3
    • 17.5.1a
    • 16.12.8
    • 16.12.1
    • 17.7.1b
    • 17.3.5a
    • 16.3.4
    • 16.3.6
    • 17.6.6
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    Vendors and products

    Affected operating systems

    Affected operating systems
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1a
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1b
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1c
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1d
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1e
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1f
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1g
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.1s
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.2
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.10.3
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.1.1
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.11.1
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.11.1a
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.11.1b
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.11.1s
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.11.2
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.1.2
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.1
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.10
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.1a
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.1c
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.1s
    Mobileciscoios_xe16.12.1t

    Weakness classes (CWE)

    • CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

      Base

      The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

      Entry at MITRE CWE-78

    Public exploit references

    Publicly reported proof-of-concepts, exploit modules and detection templates for this vulnerability. NEOSEC links to the original sources only and does not provide any exploit code.

    Public exploit references
    CISA KEV CatalogCISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (opens in a new tab)cisa.govactively exploited
    CSA/SingCERTActive Exploitation of Cisco Internetworking Operating System eXtended Edition (opens in a new tab)CSA/SingCERTactively exploited
    CSA/SingCERTActive Exploitation of Critical Zero-Day Vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software (opens in a new tab)CSA/SingCERTactively exploited
    NCSC NZCisco IOS XE Web UI actively exploited (opens in a new tab)NCSC NZactively exploited
    ANSSI / CERT-FRLicence Ouverte 2.0, as of CERTFR-2023-ALE-011 – [MàJ] Multiples vulnérabilités dans Cisco IOS XE (clôturée 2024-02-16) (opens in a new tab)cert.cyber.gouv.fractively exploited

    References & sources

    • sec.cloudapps.cisco.comcisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4zVendor advisory, pwn-watch
    • cisa.govknown-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-20273government-resource, US government resource
    • cert.atCERT.at: Update #2: Kritische Sicherheitslücke in Cisco IOS XE - aktiv ausgenütztcert-at
    • cert.cyber.gouv.frANSSI / CERT-FR: CERTFR-2023-ALE-011 – [MàJ] Multiples vulnérabilités dans Cisco IOS XE (clôturée 2024-02-16)cert-fr
    • pwn.watchpwn.watch: Cisco IOS XE web UI zero-days: implants on tens of thousands of devicespwn-watch
    • blog.talosintelligence.comActive exploitation of Cisco IOS XE Software Web Management User Interface vulnerabilitypwn-watch
    • cisa.govGuidance for Addressing Cisco IOS XE Web UI Vulnerabilitiespwn-watch
    • NVD (NIST)NVD: CVE-2023-20198pwn-watch
    • NVD (NIST)NVD: CVE-2023-20273pwn-watch
    • cisa.govCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalogpwn-watch
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    <a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2023-20273"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2023-20273.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2023-20273 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>