How severe is CVE-2023-20121?

CVE-2023-20121 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-20121 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20121?

CVE-2023-20121 primarily affects Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20121?

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

When was CVE-2023-20121 published?

CVE-2023-20121 was published on 2023-04-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20121

CVE-2023-20121 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0. 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-78.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (10th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager
Published: 2023-04-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Multiple vulnerabilities in the restricted shell of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and Cisco Prime Infrastructure could allow an authenticated, local attacker to escape the restricted shell and gain root privileges on the underlying operating system. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20121?: Multiple vulnerabilities in the restricted shell of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and Cisco Prime Infrastructure could allow an authenticated, local attacker to escape the restricted shell and gain root privileges on the underlying operating system. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
How severe is CVE-2023-20121?: CVE-2023-20121 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-20121 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20121?: CVE-2023-20121 primarily affects Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20121?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-20121 published?: CVE-2023-20121 was published on 2023-04-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-adeos-MLAyEcvk

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:evolved_programmable_network_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine:3.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:prime_infrastructure:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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