CVE-2023-20186

Name: CVE-2023-20186
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-09-27T18:15:11.05+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.1/10EPSS 0.59%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-20186 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.1/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) feature of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to bypass command authorization and copy files to or from the file system of an affected device using the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP). This vulnerability is due to incorrect processing of SCP commands in AAA command authorization checks. An attacker with valid credentials and level 15 privileges could exploit this vulnerability by using SCP to connect to an affected device from an external machine. EPSS estimates a 0.59% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) feature of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to bypass command authorization and copy files to or from the file system of an affected device using the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP). This vulnerability is due to incorrect processing of SCP commands in AAA command authorization checks. An attacker with valid credentials and level 15 privileges could exploit this vulnerability by using SCP to connect to an affected device from an external machine. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain or change the configuration of the affected device and put files on or retrieve files from the affected device.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.1/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.59%

43.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-285

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)ex
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)ey
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)ey1
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)ey2
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)ez
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)se
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)se1
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(58\)se2
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez1
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez2
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez3
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez4
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez5
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez6
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez7
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez8
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez9
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez10
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez11
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez12
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez13
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez14
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez15
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ex
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m3
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m4
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m5
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m6
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m7
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m8
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m9
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)m10
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)mr
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s3a
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s4
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s4a
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s5
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)s6
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)se
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)se1

Showing 50 of 996 affected configurations. See NVD for the full list.

References

Timeline

Published: Sep 27, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-20186?

How severe is CVE-2023-20186?

CVE-2023-20186 has a CVSS score of 9.1/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.59% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20186?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-20186?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST