CVE-2023-20087 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2023
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to download arbitrary files from the filesystem of an affected device. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to download arbitrary files from the underlying filesystem of the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2025
The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) represents a critical component in enterprise network security infrastructure, providing identity management and access control services for organizations worldwide. This web-based management interface serves as a primary point of administrative access for configuring and monitoring the ISE platform, making it a prime target for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise network security controls. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20087 specifically targets this management interface, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to escalate their privileges and access sensitive system resources. The affected device operates within the core network infrastructure, where unauthorized access to its filesystem could result in complete compromise of the identity services and potentially lead to broader network infiltration.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2023-20087 stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface's file handling functionality. This vulnerability manifests as insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input when processing HTTP requests, particularly those involving file path parameters or directory traversal operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design where input is not properly validated before being processed. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that manipulate file path parameters to bypass normal access controls and traverse the filesystem. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond authentication, as the attacker only needs valid credentials to access the web interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials are compromised or weakly managed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a critical pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information from the ISE device. An attacker with access to the management interface could potentially download system configuration files, encryption keys, user credentials, and other confidential data that would significantly compromise the security posture of the entire network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity to exploit it, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" and represents the broader category of privilege escalation through legitimate access. The attack could result in complete loss of identity management capabilities, allowing adversaries to bypass security controls, establish persistent access, or conduct further reconnaissance activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the input validation issues in the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to the ISE device, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the management interface. Additional security measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous HTTP request patterns, configuring web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conducting regular security audits of administrative access logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Organizations should also review their credential management practices and implement multi-factor authentication for administrative access to prevent unauthorized access to the management interface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network components that may serve as alternative attack vectors.