CVE-2023-20030 : What You Need to Know

This CVE, assigned to Cisco, involves the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) XML External Entity Injection Vulnerability. It was published on April 5, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-20030

This vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE allows an authenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information, conduct a server-side request forgery (SSRF) attack, or impact the interface's responsiveness by exploiting improper handling of XML External Entity (XXE) entries.

What is CVE-2023-20030?

The CVE-2023-20030 vulnerability in Cisco ISE is caused by the mishandling of XXE entries when parsing certain XML files. Attackers can upload a crafted XML file containing references to external entities to retrieve files from the local system, leading to the disclosure of confidential data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20030

An exploit of this vulnerability could allow attackers to make arbitrary HTTP requests on behalf of the victim or consume memory resources, affecting the availability of the web-based management interface. Successful exploitation requires valid Super Admin or Policy Admin credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20030

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to access sensitive information, conduct SSRF attacks, or impact the interface by uploading a malicious XML file with external entity references.

Affected Systems and Versions

The specific affected system is the Cisco Identity Services Engine Software with all versions being susceptible to this XXE vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with valid Super Admin or Policy Admin credentials can exploit the vulnerability by uploading a malicious XML file containing external entity references to retrieve confidential files or disrupt the web interface's availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect against CVE-2023-20030, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching procedures are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement access controls, monitor network traffic, and restrict unauthorized access to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. Regularly review and update the security configuration of the Cisco ISE.

Long-Term Security Practices

Train employees on security best practices, conduct regular security assessments, and apply security patches and updates promptly to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories, apply patches provided by Cisco to address the XXE vulnerability, and regularly update the Cisco ISE software to enhance security measures.