What is
Cisco IOS XE Web UI?
Cisco IOS XE is the internetworking operating system used by the Next-Generation Cisco Systems such routers and switches. The Web UI provides deployment and manageability of these devices.

What is the
Attack?
A newly identified vulnerability on the Web UI of the Cisco IOS XE is exploited in the wild. The vulnerability is a privilege escalation tracked under CVE-2023-20198. This allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create an account on an affected system. The attacker can then use that account to gain control of the affected system. After exploiting that vulnerability, the attack can install a backdoor to the device and further infiltrate the network.

Why is this
Significant?

This vulnerability has been given the maximum security CVSS rating of 10.0. According to several security news articles, thousands of publicly exposed devices have already been compromised. Also, CISA has released an advisory for this attack.
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2023/10/16/cisco-releases-security-advisory-ios-xe-software-web-ui

What is theVendor Solution?

There is no workaround and patches available as of October 19, 2023.

What FortiGuard Coverage is available?

FortiGuard is currently developing a solution for protection against this vulnerability.

Read More