CVE-2023-20198
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitCisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software.
Published Oct 17, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025 · Also known as TR-23-0589
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-20198 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v3.1) affecting IOS Xe (Cisco), Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware (Rockwellautomation), Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware (Rockwellautomation) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 16, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including IOS Xe 16.12.10a, Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware 17.12.02, Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware 17.12.02.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
10.0
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-20198 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Oct 16, 2023 | Oct 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Oct 16, 2023 | Oct 20, 2023 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Oct 16, 2023 | Oct 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Oct 16, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Verify that instances of Cisco IOS XE Web UI are in compliance with BOD 23-02 and apply mitigations per vendor instructions. For affected products (Cisco IOS XE Web UI exposed to the internet or to untrusted networks), follow vendor instructions to determine if a system may have been compromised and immediately report positive findings to CISA.
Affected Products
4 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| IOS XeCisco | See advisory | 16.12.10a |
| Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 FirmwareRockwellautomation | See advisory | 17.12.02 |
| Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 FirmwareRockwellautomation | See advisory | 17.12.02 |
| Cisco IOS XE Software | >= 16.1.1 | n/a |
Patched Releases
IOS Xe
16.12.10a
Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware
17.12.02
Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware
17.12.02
Timeline
Added to CISA KEV
Oct 16, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Oct 16, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Oct 16, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Oct 16, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Oct 17, 2023
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-420 Unprotected Alternate Channel
References
- advisorycisco-sa-iosxe-webui-privesc-j22SaA4z
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-20198
- advisoryhttps://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2023/10/16/cisco-releases-security-advisory-ios-xe-software-web-ui
- advisoryhttps://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vulnerabilities/82065/
- advisoryUSOM advisory
FAQ
Common Questions.
Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software.
Affected: IOS Xe (Cisco); Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware (Rockwellautomation); Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware (Rockwellautomation), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 16, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Oct 16, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Oct 20, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including IOS Xe 16.12.10a, Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware 17.12.02, Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware 17.12.02.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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