How severe is CVE-2023-20216?

CVE-2023-20216 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-20216 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (4th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20216?

CVE-2023-20216 primarily affects Cisco Broadworks Application Delivery Platform. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20216?

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

When was CVE-2023-20216 published?

CVE-2023-20216 was published on 2023-08-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20216

CVE-2023-20216 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Broadworks Application Delivery Platform with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.4. 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-732.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (4th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Cisco Broadworks Application Delivery Platform
Published: 2023-08-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the privilege management functionality of all Cisco BroadWorks server types could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to root on an affected system. This vulnerability is due to incorrect implementation of user role permissions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the application as a user with the BWORKS or BWSUPERADMIN role and issuing crafted commands on an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands beyond the sphere of their intended access level, including initiating installs or running operating system commands with elevated permissions. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20216?: A vulnerability in the privilege management functionality of all Cisco BroadWorks server types could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to root on an affected system. This vulnerability is due to incorrect implementation of user role permissions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the application as a user with the BWORKS or BWSUPERADMIN role and issuing crafted commands on an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands beyond the sphere of their intended access level, including initiating installs or running operating system commands with elevated permissions. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2023-20216?: CVE-2023-20216 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-20216 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (4th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20216?: CVE-2023-20216 primarily affects Cisco Broadworks Application Delivery Platform. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20216?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-20216 published?: CVE-2023-20216 was published on 2023-08-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-bw-priv-esc-qTgUZOsQ

Affected products (16)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_application_delivery_platform:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_application_server:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_application_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_database_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_execution_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_media_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_network_database_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_network_function_manager:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_network_server:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_network_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_profile_server:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_profile_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_service_control_function_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_troubleshooting_server:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_xtended_services_platform:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:broadworks_xtended_services_platform:*:*:*:*:release_independent:*:*:*

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