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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2023-20252: Cisco SD-WAN vManage · Missing Authorization

Affects Cisco SD-WAN vManageSource CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 09:15 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
9.8Critical
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
1.0% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 65% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 27 Sep 2023

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Cisco Cisco SD-WAN vManageAffected
  • =20.9.3.2
  • =20.11.1.2
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

1. Apply official Cisco patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability in affected SD-WAN vManage versions. 2. Until patches are deployed, restrict access to the SD-WAN vManage management interface and SAML APIs by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules limiting access to trusted IP addresses only. 3. Enable and monitor detailed logging and alerting on SAML API usage to detect anomalous or unauthorized access attempts promptly. 4. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) on management interfaces where possible to add an additional layer of security. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on SD-WAN infrastructure to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. 6. Educate network administrators about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance for suspicious activity. 7. Review and harden identity and access management policies related to SD-WAN management to minimize privilege exposure. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting SAML APIs. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and improve detection and response capabilities while awaiting patch deployment.

Description

CVE-2023-20252 is a critical vulnerability in Cisco SD-WAN vManage affecting versions 20.9.3.2 and 20.11.1.2. It stems from missing authorization checks in the SAML APIs, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access as arbitrary users. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction and can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the SD-WAN management platform. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.

References

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