CVE-2023-20009

What it is

A vulnerability in the Web UI and administrative CLI of the Cisco Secure Email Gateway (ESA) and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager (SMA) could allow an authenticated remote attacker and or authenticated local attacker to escalate their privilege level and gain root access. The attacker has to have a valid user credential with at least a [[privilege of operator - validate actual name]]. The vulnerability is due to the processing of a specially crafted SNMP configuration file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device and uploading a specially crafted SNMP configuration file that when uploaded could allow for the execution of commands as root. An exploit could allow the attacker to gain root access on the device.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

2.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2023-03-01 08:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 05:29 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 2.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-03-01 08:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:29 UTC

Exploit probability

2.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-20 · Improper input validation

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco Email Security Appliance < 12.5.3-041
• Cisco Email Security Appliance < 13.0.5-007
• Cisco Email Security Appliance < 13.5.4-038
• Cisco Email Security Appliance < 14.2.1-020
• Cisco Email Security Appliance < 14.3.0-032
• Cisco Secure Email And Web Manager < 12.8.1-021
• Cisco Secure Email And Web Manager < 13.8.1-108
• Cisco Secure Email And Web Manager < 14.2.0-224

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

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-2023-20009.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-20009. 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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