CVE-2023-20198

Published Oct 16, 2023

Last updated 2 months ago

Cisco IOS XE

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2023-20198 is a vulnerability found in the web UI feature of Cisco IOS XE Software. It involves improper path validation, which allows attackers to bypass Nginx filtering and access the webui_wsma_http web endpoint without authentication. This access enables execution of arbitrary Cisco IOS commands or configuration changes with Privilege 15. Exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves targeting two specific XML SOAP endpoints: cisco:wsma-exec for command execution and configuration changes, and cisco:wsma-config for tasks like adding new user accounts. Attackers were observed exploiting CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access, create a local user account, and then leverage another vulnerability (CVE-2023-20273) to escalate privileges to root and install malware. Cisco IOS XE Software runs on various Cisco networking devices, including routers, switches, and wireless controllers.

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.
Source: psirt@cisco.com
NVD status: Analyzed

Risk scores

CVSS 3.1

Type: Primary
Base score: 10
Impact score: 6
Exploitability score: 3.9
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: CRITICAL

Known exploits

Data from CISA

Vulnerability name: Cisco IOS XE Web UI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Exploit added on: Oct 16, 2023
Exploit action due: Oct 20, 2023
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.

Weaknesses

psirt@cisco.com: CWE-420
nvd@nist.gov: NVD-CWE-Other

Hype score: Not currently trending

Configurations

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References

Sources include official advisories and independent security research.