CVE-2023-20193
mediumpriority · track · 27EPSS 0.002 · 9 %ileEURUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
A vulnerability in the Embedded Service Router (ESR) of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, local attacker to read, write, or delete arbitrary files on the underlying operating system and escalate their privileges to root. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have valid Administrator-level privileges on the affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper privilege management in the ESR console. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate their privileges to root and read, write, or delete arbitrary files from the underlying operating system of the affected device. Note: The ESR is not enabled by default and must be licensed. To verify the status of the ESR in the Admin GUI, choose Administration > Settings > Protocols > IPSec.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
A vendor fix is available.
- FixedCisco Identity Services Engine Softwarecisco_csaf
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.
https://software.cisco.com
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (43)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (1)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2AwCisco Identity Services Engine Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities2023-09-06csaf · cisco_csafUS
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an authenticated attacker to perform privilege escalation attacks to read or modify arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker must have valid Administrator-level privileges on the affected device. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details ["#details"] section of this advisory. Cisco has released software updates that address one of these vulnerabilities. There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
also known as (4)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (5)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://cxsecurity.com/cveshow/CVE-2023-20193/cnnvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2Awcnnvd
- https://www.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2023.5110cnnvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2Awenisa_euvd
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2AwVendor Advisorynvd
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