How severe is CVE-2023-20097?

CVE-2023-20097 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-20097 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20097?

CVE-2023-20097 primarily affects Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20097?

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

When was CVE-2023-20097 published?

CVE-2023-20097 was published on 2023-03-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20097

CVE-2023-20097 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6. 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-77.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.6)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (13th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-77
Affected product: Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software
Published: 2023-03-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in Cisco access points (AP) software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to inject arbitrary commands and execute them with root privileges. This vulnerability is due to improper input validation of commands that are issued from a wireless controller to an AP. An attacker with Administrator access to the CLI of the controller could exploit this vulnerability by issuing a command with crafted arguments. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain full root access on the AP.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20097?: A vulnerability in Cisco access points (AP) software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to inject arbitrary commands and execute them with root privileges. This vulnerability is due to improper input validation of commands that are issued from a wireless controller to an AP. An attacker with Administrator access to the CLI of the controller could exploit this vulnerability by issuing a command with crafted arguments. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain full root access on the AP.
How severe is CVE-2023-20097?: CVE-2023-20097 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-20097 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (13th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20097?: CVE-2023-20097 primarily affects Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20097?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-20097 published?: CVE-2023-20097 was published on 2023-03-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-aironetap-cmdinj-6bjT4FL8

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:wireless_lan_controller_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:aironet_access_point_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software

CVE-2014-0703 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices 7.4 before 7.4.110.0 distribute Aironet IOS software with a race condition…
CVE-2007-2036 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The SNMP implementation in the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) before 20070419 uses the default read-only community…
CVE-2016-1363 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Buffer overflow in the redirection functionality in Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) Software 7.2 through 7.4 before…
CVE-2015-6314 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices with software 7.6.x, 8.0 before 8.0.121.0, and 8.1 before 8.1.131.0 allow…
CVE-2012-0371 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices with software 4.x, 5.x, 6.0, and 7.0 before 7.0.220.4, when CPU-based ACLs…
CVE-2013-1105 — Critical (CVSS 9.0): Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices with software 7.0 before 7.0.235.3, 7.1 and 7.2 before 7.2.111.3, and 7.3…

All CVEs affecting Cisco Wireless Lan Controller Software →

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CVE-2026-101075 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A security vulnerability has been detected in Netcore NR289-GE 1.4.5102. The impacted element is the function system of…
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