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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2023-20118

HighExploitedPublic exploit

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business Routers RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device.

Published Apr 13, 2023 · Updated Oct 28, 2025

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2023-20118 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.2 v3.1) affecting Rv016 Firmware (Cisco), Rv042 Firmware (Cisco), Rv042g Firmware (Cisco) and 4 more products.
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Feb 25, 2025. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 54% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

7.2

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

54%

Higher than 98.9% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2023-20118 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business Routers RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user input within incoming HTTP packets. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain root-level privileges and access unauthorized data. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to have valid administrative credentials on the affected device. Cisco has not and will not release software updates that address this vulnerability. However, administrators may disable the affected feature as described in the Workarounds ["#workarounds"] section. {{value}} ["%7b%7bvalue%7d%7d"])}]]

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVMar 3, 2025Mar 24, 2025Not reported
Industry KEV feedFeb 25, 2025Mar 24, 2025Not reported
CIRCL KEVMar 3, 2025Mar 24, 2025Not reported
ENISA EUVDMar 3, 2025n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

7 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Rv016 FirmwareCiscoSee advisoryn/a
Rv042 FirmwareCiscoSee advisoryn/a
Rv042g FirmwareCiscoSee advisoryn/a
Rv082 FirmwareCiscoSee advisoryn/a
Rv320 FirmwareCiscoSee advisoryn/a
2 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Apr 13, 2023

  2. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Feb 25, 2025

  3. Added to CISA KEV

    Mar 3, 2025

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Mar 3, 2025

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    Mar 3, 2025

  6. Last updated

    Oct 28, 2025

Weakness Type

  • CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')

References

6 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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