Overview
Cisco IOS XE Web UI contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the web user interface that could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create an account with privilege level 15 access. The attacker can then use that account to gain control of the affected device.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ios-nx-os-software/ios-xe-dublin-17121/221128-software-fix-availability-for-cisco-ios.html; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20198
Key Details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CVE ID | CVE-2023-20198 |
| Vendor / Product | Cisco — IOS XE Web UI |
| NVD Published | 2023-10-16 |
| NVD Last Modified | 2025-10-28 |
| CVSS 3.1 Score | 10 |
| CVSS 3.1 Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Severity | CRITICAL |
| CWE | CWE-420 |
| CISA KEV Added | 2023-10-16 |
| CISA KEV Deadline | 2023-10-20 |
| Known Ransomware Use | No |
CVSS 3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Required Action
CISA BOD 22-01 Deadline: 2023-10-20.
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.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-16 | Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog |
| 2023-10-20 | CISA BOD 22-01 remediation deadline |
References
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
| NVD — CVE-2023-20198 | Vulnerability Database |
| CISA KEV Catalog Entry | US Government |