CVE-2023-20048 Missing authorization in Cisco Firepower Management Center
An authenticated attacker can execute unauthorized configuration commands on managed FTD devices due to insufficient authorization checks in the FMC web interface.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2023-20048?
CVE-2023-20048 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center, published on 1 Nov 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in the web services interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute certain unauthorized configuration commands on a Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) device that is managed by the FMC Software. This vulnerability is due to insufficient authorization of configuration commands that are sent through the web service interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the FMC web services interface and sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute certain configuration commands on the targeted FTD device. To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need valid credentials on the FMC Software.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20048?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20048?
No fix has been published for CVE-2023-20048 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2023-20048 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-20048 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center
- CVE-2026-20079 Cisco Firewall Management Center Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
- CVE-2026-20131 Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software and Cisco Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management Deserialization of Untrusted Data
- CVE-2026-20316 Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Use of Hard-coded Password
- CVE-2025-20265 Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Software Radius Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2024-20424 Command injection in Cisco Firepower Management Center
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jg9m-wr8w-vhxv.