CVE-2023-20269

What it is

A vulnerability in the remote access VPN feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a brute force attack in an attempt to identify valid username and password combinations or an authenticated, remote attacker to establish a clientless SSL VPN session with an unauthorized user. This vulnerability is due to improper separation of authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) between the remote access VPN feature and the HTTPS management and site-to-site VPN features. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by specifying a default connection profile/tunnel group while conducting a brute force attack or while establishing a clientless SSL VPN session using valid credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to achieve one or both of the following: Identify valid credentials that could then be used to establish an unauthorized remote access VPN session. Establish a clientless SSL VPN session (only when running Cisco ASA Software Release 9.16 or earlier). Notes: Establishing a client-based remote access VPN tunnel is not possible as these default connection profiles/tunnel groups do not and cannot have an IP address pool configured. This vulnerability does not allow an attacker to bypass authentication. To successfully establish a remote access VPN session, valid credentials are required, including a valid second factor if multi-factor authentication (MFA) is configured. Cisco will release software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.

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. 2023-09-06 18:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2023-09-13 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
4. 2023-10-04 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
5. 2026-08-11 19:33 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: 26.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-09-06 18:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-11 19:33 UTC

Added to CISA KEV

2023-09-13

Exploit probability

26.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-288

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.1
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.1.5
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.1.7
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.2
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.2.8
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.2.14
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.2.15
• Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software 9.8.2.17

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

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.

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