CVE-2023-20273 Cisco Cisco IOS XE Web UI: command or code injection
In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Oct 27, 2023
What to do
- Install Cisco's security update for Cisco IOS XE Web UI. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
- Restart your phone every few days; some spyware does not survive a reboot.
- If you are a journalist, activist, lawyer, politician or executive, turn on Lockdown Mode (iPhone) or Advanced Protection (Android).
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Messages, photos, location, microphone and camera. The most serious ones are "zero-click": no tap needed from the owner. They are usually used as spyware against a small number of chosen people.
The details
- Official name
- Cisco IOS XE Web UI Command Injection Vulnerability
- Product
- Cisco Cisco IOS XE Web UI
- CISA description
- 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.
- Type of flaw
- Command or code injection (CWE-78)
- Confirmed exploited
- Oct 23, 2023
- US federal patch deadline
- Oct 27, 2023
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Answering about CVE-2023-20273 ·
Questions about CVE-2023-20273
Is CVE-2023-20273 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-20273 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Oct 23, 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20273?
Install Cisco's security update for Cisco IOS XE Web UI. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
Am I affected by CVE-2023-20273?
Only if you use Cisco Cisco IOS XE Web UI. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.