CVE-2023-20266

6.5 MEDIUM 0.5% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

A vulnerability in Cisco Emergency Responder, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM), Cisco Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition (Unified CM SME), and Cisco Unity Connection could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges to root on an affected device. This vulnerability exists because the application does not properly restrict the files that are being used for upgrades. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing a crafted upgrade file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid platform administrator credentials on an affected 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: 0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2023-08-30 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 05:30 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2023-08-30 17:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 05:30 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-347
Record status: Modified

Affected

Cisco Emergency Responder 12.5.1su4
Cisco Emergency Responder 12.5.1su8a
Cisco Emergency Responder 14su3
Cisco Unified Communications Manager 12.5.1su8
Cisco Unity Connection 12.5\(1\)su6
Cisco Unity Connection 12.5\(1\)su7
Cisco Unity Connection 12.5\(1\)su8
Cisco Unity Connection 14su2

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

Raw vector

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

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-2023-20266.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-20266. 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