What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-20198?

CVE-2023-20198 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 99.6%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2023-20198?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2023-20198. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 99.6%.

Allen Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware CVE-2023-20198

CRITICAL

Unprotected Alternate Channel (CWE-420)

2023-10-16 psirt@cisco.com

Cisco Apple Information Disclosure Allen Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware Allen Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware Ios Xe

10.0

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

10.0 CRITICAL

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Added to CISA KEV

Jul 14, 2026 - 04:22 CISA

CVE Published

Oct 16, 2023 - 16:15 nvd

CRITICAL 10.0

DescriptionNVD

Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. We are updating the list of fixed releases and adding the Software Checker. Our investigation has determined that the actors exploited two previously unknown issues. The attacker first exploited CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access and issued a privilege 15 command to create a local user and password combination. This allowed the user to log in with normal user access. The attacker then exploited another component of the web UI feature, leveraging the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco has assigned CVE-2023-20273 to this issue. CVE-2023-20198 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 10.0. CVE-2023-20273 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 7.2. Both of these CVEs are being tracked by CSCwh87343.

AnalysisAI

Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-420. Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. We are updating the list of fixed releases and adding the Software Checker. Our investigation has determined that the actors exploited two previously unknown issues. The attacker first exploited CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access and issued a privilege 15 command to create a local user and password combination. This allowed the user to log in with normal user access. The attacker then exploited another component of the web UI feature, leveraging the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco has assigned CVE-2023-20273 to this issue. CVE-2023-20198 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 10.0. CVE-2023-20273 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 7.2. Both of these CVEs are being tracked by CSCwh87343. Affected products include: Rockwellautomation Allen-Bradley Stratix 5200 Firmware, Rockwellautomation Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 Firmware, Cisco Ios Xe.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.