How severe is CVE-2023-20012?

CVE-2023-20012 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-20012 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20012?

CVE-2023-20012 primarily affects Cisco Nexus 93180yc-fx3s Firmware. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20012?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-20012 published?

CVE-2023-20012 was published on 2023-02-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20012

CVE-2023-20012 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Nexus 93180yc-fx3s Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (22nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Cisco Nexus 93180yc-fx3s Firmware
Published: 2023-02-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI console login authentication of Cisco Nexus 9300-FX3 Series Fabric Extender (FEX) when used in UCS Fabric Interconnect deployments could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to bypass authentication. This vulnerability is due to the improper implementation of the password validation function. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the console port on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass authentication and execute a limited set of commands local to the FEX, which could cause a device reboot and denial of service (DoS) condition.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20012?: A vulnerability in the CLI console login authentication of Cisco Nexus 9300-FX3 Series Fabric Extender (FEX) when used in UCS Fabric Interconnect deployments could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to bypass authentication. This vulnerability is due to the improper implementation of the password validation function. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the console port on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass authentication and execute a limited set of commands local to the FEX, which could cause a device reboot and denial of service (DoS) condition.
How severe is CVE-2023-20012?: CVE-2023-20012 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-20012 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (22nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20012?: CVE-2023-20012 primarily affects Cisco Nexus 93180yc-fx3s Firmware. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20012?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-20012 published?: CVE-2023-20012 was published on 2023-02-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-elyfex-dos-gfvcByx

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nexus_93180yc-fx3s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nexus_93180yc-fx3_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:ucs_central_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ucs_6536_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ucs_64108_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ucs_6454_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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