CVE-2023-20273 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20273 represents a critical command injection flaw within the web user interface component of Cisco IOS XE Software, a widely deployed networking operating system that powers numerous enterprise routers and switches. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and specifically manifests as insufficient input validation within the web UI processing pipeline. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the highest system privileges, effectively compromising the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs passed through the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious code execution that bypasses normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can access the web UI of affected Cisco devices running IOS XE Software. Attackers can craft malicious input payloads that are then processed by the vulnerable web interface without proper validation or sanitization. This insufficient input validation creates a command injection vector where attacker-controlled data is interpreted and executed as system commands by the underlying operating system. The exploitation process leverages the web UI's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters, allowing malicious payloads to be injected directly into the command execution chain. The vulnerability specifically targets the web UI's handling of user-supplied data, where legitimate administrative functions are processed alongside potentially malicious inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with root-level access to critical network infrastructure. This elevated privilege level enables attackers to perform complete system compromise including modification of network configurations, installation of persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, and disruption of network services. The vulnerability affects Cisco devices including the Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco 9000 Series Routers, and various other platforms running vulnerable versions of IOS XE Software. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their network devices to external traffic. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to execute commands remotely and potentially establish persistent access.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest Cisco security patches and updates, restricting web UI access to trusted networks, and implementing network segmentation to limit the attack surface. Configuration changes should focus on disabling unnecessary web UI services and enforcing strict access controls. Network administrators should also monitor for unusual network traffic patterns and unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how insufficient sanitization can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure and implement continuous monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should review and update their incident response procedures to address potential command injection attacks targeting network infrastructure devices.