CVE-2018-0428

What it is

A vulnerability in the account management subsystem of Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to root. The attacker must authenticate with valid administrator credentials. The vulnerability is due to improper implementation of access controls. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the device as a specific user to gain the information needed to elevate privileges to root in a separate login shell. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to escape the CLI subshell and execute system-level commands on the underlying operating system as root. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvj93548.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2018-08-15 20:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 01:30 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2018-08-15 20:29 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 01:30 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-284 · Improper access control

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco Web Security Appliance 11.0.0-fcs-250
• Cisco Web Security Appliance 11.5.0-fcs-000
• Cisco Web Security Appliance wsa10.0.0-959
• Cisco Web Security Appliance wsa10.5.0-fcs-000

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 6.7

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2018-0428.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2018-0428. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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