# What is CVE-2019-12650?

> CVE-2019-12650 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) in IOS from Cisco, published on 25 September 2019. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 29%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2019-12650

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 51 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** High (CVSS 8.8 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 29% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 25 September 2019
- **Record last updated:** 22 May 2023
- **Main product:** IOS from Cisco
- **Affected products:** 79

## What is CVE-2019-12650? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### The official description

Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based user interface (Web UI) of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges on the affected device. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
- CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: An ordinary user account
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2019-12650 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 29%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 29%, 29%, 29%, 29%, 29%, 29%, 29%.

### Timeline

- 25 September 2019: Published
- 22 May 2023: Record last updated
- 16 June 2026: Exploit likelihood jumped

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2019-12650 scores **51 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2019-12650?

The published record lists 79 products.

- [IOS](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/ios) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): 16.11.1
- [IOS XE](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/ios_xe) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): 16.6.5, 17.1.1
- [1100-4p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1100-4p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [1100-8p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1100-8p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [1101-4p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1101-4p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [1109-2p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1109-2p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [1109-4p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1109-4p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [1111x-8p Integrated Services Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/1111x-8p_integrated_services_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [ASR 1001-X](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/asr_1001-x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [ASR 1002-Hx](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/asr_1002-hx) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [ASR 1006-X](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/asr_1006-x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [ASR 1009-X](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/asr_1009-x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-12x48uq](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-12x48uq) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-12x48ur](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-12x48ur) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-12x48uz](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-12x48uz) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-24pd](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-24pd) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-24pdm](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-24pdm) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-48fq](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-48fq) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-48fqm](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-48fqm) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3650-8x24uq](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3650-8x24uq) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-12x48u](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-12x48u) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-24u](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-24u) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-24xs](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-24xs) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-24xu](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-24xu) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-48u](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-48u) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-48xs](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-48xs) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-Nm-2-40g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-nm-2-40g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 3850-Nm-8-10g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_3850-nm-8-10g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-40](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-40) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-80](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-80) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-Cl](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-cl) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-L](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-l) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-L-C](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-l-c) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst 9800-L-F](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_9800-l-f) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200-24p](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200-24p) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200-24t](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200-24t) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200-48p](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200-48p) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200-48t](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200-48t) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24p-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24p-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24p-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24p-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24pxg-2y](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24pxg-2y) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24pxg-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24pxg-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24t-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24t-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-24t-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-24t-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48p-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48p-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48p-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48p-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48pxg-2y](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48pxg-2y) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48pxg-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48pxg-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48t-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48t-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9200l-48t-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9200l-48t-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-24p](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-24p) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-24s](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-24s) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-24t](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-24t) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-24u](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-24u) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-24ux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-24ux) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48p](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48p) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48s](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48s) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48t](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48t) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48u](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48u) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48un](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48un) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300-48uxm](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300-48uxm) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-24p-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-24p-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-24p-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-24p-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-24t-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-24t-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-24t-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-24t-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-48p-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-48p-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-48p-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-48p-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-48t-4g](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-48t-4g) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9300l-48t-4x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9300l-48t-4x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-12q](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-12q) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-16x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-16x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-24q](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-24q) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-24y4c](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-24y4c) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-32c](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-32c) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-32qc](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-32qc) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-40x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-40x) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Catalyst C9500-48y4c](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/catalyst_c9500-48y4c) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Cloud Services Router 1000v](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/cloud_services_router_1000v) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Integrated Services Virtual Router](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/integrated_services_virtual_router) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Hardware): version not specified

## How do I fix CVE-2019-12650?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [tools.cisco.com](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190925-webui-cmd-injection) (Vendor advisory)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2019-12650?

CVE-2019-12650 is a high-severity flaw in IOS from Cisco, published on 25 September 2019. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2019-12650?

It scores 8.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2019-12650 is 51 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.

### Is CVE-2019-12650 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 29%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2019-12650 affect?

For IOS from Cisco: 16.11.1. The record lists 79 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2019-12650?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2019-12650 affect you?

Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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