# What is CVE-2023-20118?

> CVE-2023-20118 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) in Rv016 Firmware from Cisco, published on 13 April 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 54%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.

Canonical page: https://www.edgeprotect.io/what-is/cve-2023-20118

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.
- **EdgeProtect risk score:** 78 out of 100 (High); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** High (CVSS 7.2 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 54% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 13 April 2023
- **Record last updated:** 28 October 2025
- **Main product:** Rv016 Firmware from Cisco
- **Affected products:** 6

## What is CVE-2023-20118? In plain terms

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

### The official description

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business Routers RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device.
 This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user input within incoming HTTP packets. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain root-level privileges and access unauthorized data. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to have valid administrative credentials on the affected device.
 Cisco has not and will not release software updates that address this vulnerability.   However, administrators may disable the affected feature as described in the Workarounds ["#workarounds"] section.
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### What kind of flaw is it?

- 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 administrator 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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2023-20118 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 54%.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 54%, 54%, 54%, 54%, 54%, 54%, 54%.

### Timeline

- 13 April 2023: Published
- 28 October 2025: Record last updated
- 16 June 2026: Exploit likelihood jumped

### How EdgeProtect ranks it

CVE-2023-20118 scores **78 out of 100 (High)**, with the action "Emergency patch".

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: key context
- Real threat activity around it: key context

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-2023-20118?

The published record lists 6 products.

- [Rv016 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv016_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions
- [Rv042 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv042_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions
- [Rv042g Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv042g_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions
- [Rv082 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv082_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions
- [Rv320 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv320_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions
- [Rv325 Firmware](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/cisco/rv325_firmware) by [Cisco](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): all versions

## How do I fix CVE-2023-20118?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? EdgeProtect 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. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance.

### References

- [sec.cloudapps.cisco.com](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sbr042-multi-vuln-ej76Pke5) (Mitigation, Vendor advisory)
- [cisa.gov](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-20118) (Government resource)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2023-20118?

CVE-2023-20118 is a high-severity flaw in Rv016 Firmware from Cisco, published on 13 April 2023. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet with an administrator 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-2023-20118?

It scores 7.2 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2023-20118 is 78 out of 100, which is High. 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.

### Is CVE-2023-20118 being exploited?

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 54%.

### Which versions does CVE-2023-20118 affect?

For Rv016 Firmware from Cisco: all versions. The record lists 6 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2023-20118?

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.

## Does CVE-2023-20118 affect you?

EdgeProtect 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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