CVE-2023-20082

6.1 MEDIUM 0.4% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches could allow an authenticated, local attacker with level-15 privileges or an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust. This vulnerability is due to errors that occur when retrieving the public release key that is used for image signature verification. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying specific variables in the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash memory of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute persistent code on the underlying operating system. Note: In Cisco IOS XE Software releases 16.11.1 and later, the complexity of an attack using this vulnerability is high. However, an attacker with level-15 privileges could easily downgrade the Cisco IOS XE Software on a device to a release that would lower the attack complexity.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited with physical access without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
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

2023-03-23 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
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: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 6.1 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2023-03-23 17:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 05:29 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-78 · OS command injection
Record status: Modified

Affected

Cisco iOS Xe < 17.3.7
Cisco iOS Xe < 17.6.5
Cisco iOS Xe 17.7

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.1

Attack vector: Physical
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: None

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Is it in your code?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-20082.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-20082. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record