CVE-2023-20269
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitA 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…
Published Sep 7, 2023 · Updated Aug 11, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-20269 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.1 v3.1) affecting Firepower Threat Defense (Cisco), Secure Firewall Threat Defense (Cisco), Adaptive Security Appliance Software (Cisco) and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 29, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 25% 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
9.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
25%
Higher than 97.9% 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-2023-20269 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 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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Sep 13, 2023 | Oct 4, 2023 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 29, 2023 | Oct 4, 2023 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Sep 13, 2023 | Oct 4, 2023 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Sep 13, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions for group-lock and vpn-simultaneous-logins or discontinue use of the product for unsupported devices.
Affected Products
324 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower Threat DefenseCisco | 6.2.3, 6.2.3.1, 6.2.3.10, 6.2.3.11, 6.2.3.12, 6.2.3.13, 6.2.3.14, 6.2.3.15 | n/a |
| Secure Firewall Threat DefenseCisco | 6.2.3, 6.2.3.1, 6.2.3.10, 6.2.3.11, 6.2.3.12, 6.2.3.13, 6.2.3.14, 6.2.3.15 | n/a |
| Adaptive Security Appliance SoftwareCisco | 9.12.1, 9.12.1.2, 9.12.1.3, 9.12.2, 9.12.2.1, 9.12.2.4, 9.12.2.5, 9.12.2.9 | n/a |
| Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software | >= 9.8.1 | n/a |
| Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software | >= 6.2.3 | n/a |
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 29, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Sep 7, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Sep 13, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Sep 13, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Sep 13, 2023
Last updated
Aug 11, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-288 Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
- CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization
References
- advisorycisco-sa-asaftd-ravpn-auth-8LyfCkeC
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-20238
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-20243
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-20263
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2023-20269
FAQ
Common Questions.
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,…
Affected: Firepower Threat Defense (Cisco) versions 6.2.3, 6.2.3.1, 6.2.3.10, 6.2.3.11, 6.2.3.12, 6.2.3.13, 6.2.3.14, 6.2.3.15; Secure Firewall Threat Defense (Cisco) versions 6.2.3, 6.2.3.1, 6.2.3.10, 6.2.3.11, 6.2.3.12, 6.2.3.13, 6.2.3.14, 6.2.3.15; Adaptive Security Appliance Software (Cisco) versions 9.12.1, 9.12.1.2, 9.12.1.3, 9.12.2, 9.12.2.1, 9.12.2.4, 9.12.2.5, 9.12.2.9, 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 Aug 29, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Sep 13, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Oct 4, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
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.
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