Cisco REST API Container for IOS XE Software Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-287.
Summary
A vulnerability in the Cisco REST API virtual service container for Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication on the managed Cisco IOS XE device. The vulnerability is due to an improper check performed by the area of code that manages the REST API authentication service. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting malicious HTTP requests to the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain the token-id of an authenticated user. This token-id could be used to bypass authentication and execute privileged actions through the interface of the REST API virtual service container on the affected Cisco IOS XE device. The REST API interface is not enabled by default and must be installed and activated separately on IOS XE devices. See the Details section for more information.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco IOS XE Software | before 16.09.03 | 16.09.03 | Patch available | CNA |
- Cisco IOS XE Software VendorCisco Affected before 16.09.03 Fixed in 16.09.03 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 9
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:15.5\(3\)s3.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.5(3)s3.16 | Vulnerable | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 16.6.5 | Vulnerable | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4221_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4321_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4331_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4351_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4431_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4451-x_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:cloud_services_router_1000v:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
- cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:15.5\(3\)s3.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.5(3)s3.16 Vulnerable ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 16.6.5 Vulnerable ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4221_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4321_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4331_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4351_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4431_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:4451-x_integrated_services_router:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:cloud_services_router_1000v:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Cisco IOS XE Software (Cisco) Fixed in 16.09.03
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-12643
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-9j8q-456x-95cx
References
More Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-06904 Cisco is providing an update for the ongoing investigation into observed exploitation of… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2018-00122 Memory corruption in Cisco IOS and IOS XE KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2017-02977 Improper input validation in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2018-00135 Memory corruption in Cisco IOS, IOS XE, and IOS XR KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2017-04498 Memory corruption in Cisco IOS KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2017-04497 Memory corruption in Cisco IOS XE Software KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2019-12643 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-12643 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-9j8q-456x-95cx · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences