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CVE Record

CVE-2018-15368: Cisco IOS XE Software Privileged EXEC Mode Root Shell Access Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain access to the underlying Linux shell of an affected device and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the device. The vulnerability is due to the affected software improperly sanitizing command arguments to prevent modifications to the underlying Linux filesystem on a device. An attacker who has privileged EXEC mode (privilege level 15) access to an affected device could exploit this vulnerability on the device by executing CLI commands that contain crafted arguments. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain access to the underlying Linux shell of the affected device and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the device.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Cisco IOS XE flaw lets someone who already has full privileged EXEC access on a device break out to the underlying Linux shell and run commands as root. It does not describe remote unauthenticated compromise, but it turns an administrative CLI session into deeper operating-system control of network infrastructure.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for IOS XE environments because successful exploitation gives root-level control of network devices. Urgency is highest where many users or automation accounts have privilege level 15, or where management access is broadly reachable.

Technical view

CVE-2018-15368 is a CLI parser input-sanitization issue in Cisco IOS XE Software. Crafted command arguments from an authenticated local attacker with privilege level 15 can modify the underlying Linux filesystem path and reach a root shell. The source bundle lists CWE-20 and no CVSS score.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Cisco IOS XE devices running affected software where attackers can obtain or already possess privilege level 15 access. The provided sources do not identify affected versions, fixed releases, or specific device models beyond Cisco IOS XE Software.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe authenticated local exploitation through crafted CLI arguments. There is no KEV listing in the bundle, and no cited source here states active exploitation. Evidence is insufficient to claim public exploitation or weaponized tooling.

Researcher notes

The key prerequisite is already having privileged EXEC mode access. The bundle does not provide version ranges, CVSS, patch details, exploit evidence, or workarounds. Research should focus on Cisco’s advisory, release mapping, privilege exposure, and administrative-session audit trails.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Cisco’s advisory for affected releases and official fixed software guidance.
  • Restrict privilege level 15 access to named, trusted administrators only.
  • Remove stale administrative accounts and enforce strong authentication for device management.
  • Limit management-plane access to approved networks and jump hosts.
  • Monitor administrative CLI activity for unusual crafted arguments or filesystem-related changes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Cisco IOS XE devices and map their software releases.
  • Compare each release against Cisco’s advisory and current Cisco guidance.
  • Review which users, systems, and automation accounts have privilege level 15.
  • Check device logs for unexpected privileged CLI activity around administrative sessions.
  • Confirm whether any compensating management-plane restrictions are enforced.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-15368 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
CiscoCisco IOS XE Softwaren/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-20

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-20 · source CWE mapping

Improper Input Validation

Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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