CVE-2023-20186 Missing authorization in Cisco IOS XE Software

High 8.0 Published 27 Sep 2023 Updated 16 Dec 2025

Authenticated attackers with level 15 privileges can bypass AAA command authorization via SCP to read or modify device files and configurations.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-20186?

CVE-2023-20186 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Cisco Ios, published on 27 Sep 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-285

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20186?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Cisco Ios, Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20186?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-20186 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-2023-20186 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-20186 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-2hj4-ccw5-92h5.