How severe is CVE-2018-15465?

CVE-2018-15465 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-15465 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-15465?

CVE-2018-15465 primarily affects Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-15465?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-15465 published?

CVE-2018-15465 was published on 2018-12-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-15465

CVE-2018-15465 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 5.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (82nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software
Published: 2018-12-24
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the authorization subsystem of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software could allow an authenticated, but unprivileged (levels 0 and 1), remote attacker to perform privileged actions by using the web management interface. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of user privileges when using the web management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specific HTTP requests via HTTPS to an affected device as an unprivileged user. An exploit could allow the attacker to retrieve files (including the running configuration) from the device or to upload and replace software images on the device.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-15465?: A vulnerability in the authorization subsystem of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software could allow an authenticated, but unprivileged (levels 0 and 1), remote attacker to perform privileged actions by using the web management interface. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of user privileges when using the web management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specific HTTP requests via HTTPS to an affected device as an unprivileged user. An exploit could allow the attacker to retrieve files (including the running configuration) from the device or to upload and replace software images on the device.
How severe is CVE-2018-15465?: CVE-2018-15465 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2018-15465 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-15465?: CVE-2018-15465 primarily affects Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-15465?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-15465 published?: CVE-2018-15465 was published on 2018-12-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:adaptive_security_appliance_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software

CVE-2018-0101 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability in the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN functionality of the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)…
CVE-2013-5511 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Adaptive Security Device Management (ASDM) remote-management feature in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA)…
CVE-2013-5509 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SSL implementation in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software 9.0 before 9.0(2.6) and 9.1 before 9.1(2)…
CVE-2007-2462 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and PIX 7.2 before 7.2(2)8, when using Layer 2…
CVE-2025-20333 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A vulnerability in the VPN web server of Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco…
CVE-2024-20329 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A vulnerability in the SSH subsystem of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software could allow an authenticated,…

All CVEs affecting Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software →

Other CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48286 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) versions 7.4.3 build 9396 and earlier are affected by an Incorrect Authorization…
CVE-2026-48303 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) versions 7.4.3 build 9394 and earlier are affected by an Incorrect Authorization…
CVE-2026-44330 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): free5GC is an open-source implementation of the 5G core network. Prior to 4.2.2, free5GC's NEF mounts the…
CVE-2026-46595 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Previously, CVE-2024-45337 fixed an authorization bypass for misused ssh server configurations; if any other type of…
CVE-2026-33105 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authorization in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over…
CVE-2026-32213 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authorization in Azure AI Foundry allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Browse all CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) vulnerabilities →