Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2023-20273?

Affected: IOS Xe (Cisco) versions 16.10.1, 16.10.1a, 16.10.1b, 16.10.1c, 16.10.1d, 16.10.1e, 16.10.1f, 16.10.1g; Cisco IOS XE Software versions >= 16.1.1. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2023-20273 being exploited in the wild?

It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 16, 2023.

Is CVE-2023-20273 in the CISA KEV catalog?

Yes. It was added on Oct 23, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Oct 27, 2023.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2023-20273?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2023-20273?

Fixed versions are available, including IOS Xe 17.3.8a.

How urgently should CVE-2023-20273 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2023-20273

HighExploitedPublic exploit

A vulnerability in the web UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject commands with the privileges of root.

Published Oct 23, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025 · Also known as TR-23-0596

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2023-20273 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.2 v3.1) affecting IOS Xe (Cisco), Cisco IOS XE Software.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 16, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 93% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Fixed versions are available, including IOS Xe 17.3.8a.
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)

93%

Higher than 99.8% 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-2023-20273 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 UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject commands with the privileges of root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted input to the web UI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject commands to the underlying operating system with root privileges.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

Catalog	Added	Remediation due	Ransomware use
CISA KEV	Oct 23, 2023	Oct 27, 2023	Not reported
Industry KEV feed	Oct 16, 2023	Oct 27, 2023	Not reported
CIRCL KEV	Oct 23, 2023	Oct 27, 2023	Not reported
ENISA EUVD	Oct 23, 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

187 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
IOS XeCisco	16.10.1, 16.10.1a, 16.10.1b, 16.10.1c, 16.10.1d, 16.10.1e, 16.10.1f, 16.10.1g	17.3.8a
Cisco IOS XE Software	>= 16.1.1	n/a

Patched Releases

IOS Xe

17.3.8a

Timeline

Added to Industry KEV feed
Oct 16, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Oct 23, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Oct 23, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Oct 23, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Oct 23, 2023
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025

Weakness Type

CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

References

11 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

A vulnerability in the web UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject commands with the privileges of root.
Affected: IOS Xe (Cisco) versions 16.10.1, 16.10.1a, 16.10.1b, 16.10.1c, 16.10.1d, 16.10.1e, 16.10.1f, 16.10.1g; Cisco IOS XE Software versions >= 16.1.1. 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.
Yes. It was added on Oct 23, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Oct 27, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including IOS Xe 17.3.8a.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

Is CVE-2023-20273 Running On Your Attack Surface?

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