CVE-2023-20269
Published: September 13, 2023
Official Description
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense contain an unauthorized access vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a brute force attack in an attempt to identify valid username and password combinations or establish a clientless SSL VPN session with an unauthorized user.
CISA KEV Advisory
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense Unauthorized Access Vulnerability
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense contain an unauthorized access vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a brute force attack in an attempt to identify valid username and password combinations or establish a clientless SSL VPN session with an unauthorized user.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions for group-lock and vpn-simultaneous-logins or discontinue use of the product for unsupported devices.
Risk Analysis
This vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform brute force attacks. This could lead to unauthorized access by identifying valid credentials or establishing unauthorized clientless SSL VPN sessions. Its presence in CISA's KEV catalog confirms active exploitation, highlighting its urgency.
This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild. It is remotely exploitable by an unauthenticated attacker.
Administrators should apply security updates for Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense. Additionally, implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to mitigate brute force risks.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2023-20269 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2023-20269 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (2)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2023-20269 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1