CVE-2023-20198

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

In the wild

CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2022-10-27 18:47 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2023-10-16 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
3. 2023-10-16 16:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
4. 2023-10-20 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
5. 2026-06-17 05:29 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
• Exploit odds: 99.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 10.0 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
• It meets the bar for Drop everything: critical, and exploited or very likely to be.

Details

Published

2023-10-16 16:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:29 UTC

Added to CISA KEV

2023-10-16

Exploit probability

99.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-420

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Rockwellautomation allen-bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware < 17.12.02
• Rockwellautomation allen-bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware < 17.12.02
• Cisco iOS Xe < 16.12.10a
• Cisco iOS Xe < 17.3.8a
• Cisco iOS Xe < 17.6.6a
• Cisco iOS Xe < 17.9.4a

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 10.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

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-2023-20198.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-20198. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge