What is CVE-2023-20269?A critical-severity flaw criminals are using now.
CVE-2023-20269 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) in Adaptive Security Appliance Software from Cisco, published on 6 September 2023. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 25%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.
Published 6 September 2023. Record last updated 28 October 2025. We keep this page's data up to date.
What is CVE-2023-20269? In plain terms.
It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data and change data.
A vulnerability in the remote access VPN feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a brute force attack in an attempt to identify valid username and password combinations or an authenticated, remote attacker to establish a clientless SSL VPN session with an unauthorized user. This vulnerability is due to improper separation of authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) between the remote access VPN feature and the HTTPS management and site-to-site VPN features. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by specifying a default connection profile/tunnel group while conducting a brute force attack or while establishing a clientless SSL VPN session using valid credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to achieve one or both of the following: Identify valid credentials that could then be used to establish an unauthorized remote access VPN session. Establish a clientless SSL VPN session (only when running Cisco ASA Software Release 9.16 or earlier). Notes: Establishing a client-based remote access VPN tunnel is not possible as these default connection profiles/tunnel groups do not and cannot have an IP address pool configured. This vulnerability does not allow an attacker to bypass authentication. To successfully establish a remote access VPN session, valid credentials are required, including a valid second factor if multi-factor authentication (MFA) is configured. Cisco will release software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.
What kind of flaw is it?
- CWE-288Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
- CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
How an attack on it works
Read straight from its severity rating, translated out of the shorthand.
- Where an attacker can beAnywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull offEasy: no special conditions
- Login needed firstNo login needed
- Does someone have to clickNo, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker getsCan read data and change data
Severity vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Is CVE-2023-20269 being exploited? Yes.
Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 25%.
Timeline
- Published
- Record last updated
- Exploit likelihood jumped
CVE-2023-20269 scores 87. Action: Emergency patch.
We keep the score of every published flaw up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, and evidence that criminals are actually using it counts most. In order:
- Evidence it is being exploitedBiggest factor
- How severe it isStrong factor
- How widely exposed it isSmaller factor
- Threat activity around itSmaller factor
85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score.
When CVE-2023-20269 matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.
See your own ranked list →Who is affected by CVE-2023-20269? 2 products.
The published record lists 2 products from 1 vendor. If you run one of these, check your version, then go to the fix below.
- Operating system
Adaptive Security Appliance Software
by Cisco
Affected versions9.8.19.8.1.59.8.1.79.8.29.8.2.89.8.2.149.8.2.159.8.2.179.8.2.209.8.2.249.8.2.269.8.2.289.8.2.339.8.2.35 - Application
Firepower Threat Defense
by Cisco
Affected versions6.2.36.2.3.16.2.3.26.2.3.36.2.3.46.2.3.56.2.3.66.2.3.76.2.3.86.2.3.96.2.3.106.2.3.116.2.3.126.2.3.136.2.3.146.2.3.156.2.3.166.2.3.176.2.3.186.4.06.4.0.16.4.0.26.4.0.36.4.0.46.4.0.56.4.0.66.4.0.76.4.0.86.4.0.96.4.0.106.4.0.116.4.0.126.4.0.136.4.0.146.4.0.156.4.0.166.6.06.6.0.16.6.16.6.3
How do I fix CVE-2023-20269? Four steps.
- Check whether you run itCompare 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.
- Apply the vendor’s fixInstall the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
- If you can’t patch todayFollow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
- Check it wasn’t used before you patchedBecause criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance.
Does CVE-2023-20269 affect you? We'll keep checking.
Looking flaws up one at a time doesn't scale. Tell us what you run once, and we tell you which flaws matter to you, in what order, and keep watching for new ones.
- Tell us what you runPick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- We match it to every flawOver 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- Ranked by real-world riskA 0 to 100 score, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- Told as soon as we knowAn alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.
Free plan, no card needed. Nothing to install.
1 flaw being exploited affects software Acme tracks
A vulnerability in the remote access VPN feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could ...
- Matched to
- Adaptive Security Appliance Software on Acme's software list
- What to do
- Patch first, then check for signs of use
Sent to the alert recipients Acme chose. Also in the app and to Acme's webhook.
CVE-2023-20269 is a critical-severity flaw in Adaptive Security Appliance Software from Cisco, published on 6 September 2023. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data and change data.
It scores 9.1 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2023-20269 is 87 out of 100, which is Critical. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.
Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 25%.
For Adaptive Security Appliance Software from Cisco: 9.8.1, 9.8.1.5, 9.8.1.7, 9.8.2, 9.8.2.8, 9.8.2.14 and 164 more. The record lists 2 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.
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. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in.