# CASCA evidence receipt — CVE-2023-20198

- Generation: `gen-56ccdaf914f7b4be95b689ccae7dc20d`
- As known: 2026-07-19T05:00:42+00:00
- Comparison: first_public_core_generation
- Score policy: public-priority-v1.0.1
- Conflict: not observed in this generation

## Source assertions

- **CISA-ADP** (independent_enrichment): container — CISA ADP Vulnrichment
  - Observed: 2026-07-19T04:27:06.398189+00:00
  - Citation: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20198
- **cisco** (original_assertion): container — Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of the web UI feature in Cisco IOS XE Software. We are updating the list of fixed releases and adding the Software Checker. Our investigation has determined that the actors exploited two previously unknown issues. The attacker first exploited CVE-2023-20198 to gain initial access and issued a privilege 15 command to create a local user and password combination. This allowed the user to log in with normal user access. The attacker then exploited another component of the web UI feature, leveraging the new local user to elevate privilege to root and write the implant to the file system. Cisco has assigned CVE-2023-20273 to this issue. CVE-2023-20198 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 10.0. CVE-2023-20273 has been assigned a CVSS Score of 7.2. Both of these CVEs are being tracked by CSCwh87343.
  - Observed: 2026-07-19T04:27:06.398189+00:00
  - Citation: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20198
- **CVE** (derivative_copy): container — CVE Program Container
  - Observed: 2026-07-19T04:27:06.398189+00:00
  - Citation: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20198
- **CISA KEV** (original_assertion): observed_exploitation — Cisco IOS XE Web UI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
  - Observed: 2026-07-19T04:54:04.25158+00:00
  - Citation: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
- **FIRST EPSS** (original_assertion): model_probability — Probability 0.995710000000; percentile 0.999430000000
  - Observed: 2026-07-19T04:54:35.756809+00:00
  - Citation: https://www.first.org/epss/data_stats.html

## CVSS assessments

- **nvd@nist.gov** (Primary, CVSS 3.1): 10 — score eligible
  - Evidence class: nvd_enrichment_exact; source rank: 0
  - Validation: valid_match
  - Vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- **psirt@cisco.com** (Secondary, CVSS 3.1): 10 — score eligible
  - Evidence class: exact_record_cna; source rank: 1
  - Validation: valid_match
  - Vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- **cisco** (unknown, CVSS 3.1): 10 — display only
  - Evidence class: direct_cve_record_display_only; source rank: not applicable
  - Validation: display-only direct record assessment
  - Vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Limitations and unknowns

- KEV membership is authoritative for the catalog, not proof of exposure in any environment.
- EPSS is a dated model probability and not an individual-environment prediction.
- Affected or fixed status applies only to the exact cited product and version scope; unresolved scope remains unknown.
- NVD-carried upstream facts remain derivative and are not independent corroboration.
- Only NVD metrics validated under the generation-bound calculator are Public Priority eligible; direct CVE record metrics remain display-only.
- NVD CVSS source eligibility is closed: NVD-authored, exact record-source, or registered same-CVE container origin; unmapped sources remain display-only.
- Factor D is unknown in Public Core because no accepted canonical mapping-obligation ledger is present.
- Core replay supports the active and immediately prior generation; retrospective valid-at replay is deferred.

Generated from CASCA normalized evidence. This receipt is not proof that an asset is affected, unaffected, safe, or fixed.