CVE-2023-20198 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record pertains to the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. The attackers exploited two previously unknown issues, including CVE-2023-20198, to gain access, escalate privileges, and write an implant to the file system.

Understanding CVE-2023-20198

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-20198, its impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20198?

CVE-2023-20198 is a critical vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that allows attackers to exploit the web UI feature to gain initial access, escalate privileges, and create a local user to facilitate further malicious activities.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20198

This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS Score of 10.0, indicating its critical severity. It enables attackers to carry out privilege escalation, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20198

The technical details encompass the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the web UI feature to create a local user and password combination, enabling them to gain unauthorized access and elevate privileges to root, ultimately compromising the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Numerous versions of Cisco IOS XE Software ranging from 16.1.1 to 17.12.1 are affected by CVE-2023-20198, posing a widespread security risk to organizations using these versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access by creating a local user with elevated privileges, subsequently allowing them to escalate to root access and implant malicious code into the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of the severity of CVE-2023-20198, taking immediate steps, implementing long-term security practices, and applying necessary patches and updates are vital to safeguarding systems from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations are advised to implement security measures such as network segmentation, access control, and monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforcing regular security assessments, conducting security awareness training, and staying updated on security advisories are essential practices to enhance overall security posture and prevent future attacks.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released fixes for the affected versions of IOS XE Software. Organizations are strongly encouraged to apply the latest patches and updates to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-20198 and similar vulnerabilities.