Cisco IOS XE Web UI Command Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2023-20273 · CISA KEV · October 23, 2023

Summary

Cisco IOS XE contains a command injection vulnerability in the web user interface. When chained with CVE-2023-20198, the attacker can leverage the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco identified CVE-2023-20273 as the vulnerability exploited to deploy the implant. CVE-2021-1435, previously associated with the exploitation events, is no longer believed to be related to this activity.

From CISA, quoted as published. Check the source before acting.

What to do

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.

CISA required action, quoted.

Affected products

Vendor	Product	Affected versions	Fixed
Cisco	Cisco IOS XE Web UI	—	—

Why it's on these mode pages

Maritime: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)
Pipeline: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)
Freight rail: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)
Passenger rail and transit: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)
Highway and motor carrier: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)
Postal and parcel: Vendor table: Cisco (network and remote-access gear used in every mode, all modes) (matched by rule)

Change history

November 9, 2026: First collected by Watch

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