Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Cisco IOS XE flaw lets a highly privileged local attacker with physical access run code as root by using a specially prepared USB device. The business risk is serious for exposed network appliances, but the required physical access and authentication reduce broad remote attack likelihood.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted infrastructure risk, not a broad internet worm risk. Prioritize sites where attackers or untrusted personnel could physically access Cisco IOS XE devices.
Technical view
CVE-2019-12672 is an IOS XE filesystem validation issue, mapped to CWE-59, affecting Cisco IOS XE Software 3.11.1S in the provided record. Successful exploitation executes attacker-supplied code on the underlying OS with root privileges. CVSS 3.0 score is 6.2.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where Cisco IOS XE 3.11.1S devices are physically reachable by administrators, contractors, field staff, or attackers who can access USB ports.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated local access, high privileges, physical device access, and USB insertion.
Researcher notes
The bundle supports impact, prerequisites, affected product, CVSS, CWE, and vendor advisory reference. It does not provide fixed release details, workarounds, proof-of-concept status, or evidence of exploitation. Avoid assuming broader IOS XE versions beyond the listed affected record.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Cisco IOS XE devices and identify any running version 3.11.1S.
- Check Cisco’s advisory for fixed software, workarounds, or upgrade guidance.
- Restrict physical access to affected network devices and USB ports.
- Limit local administrative access to trusted personnel only.
- Prioritize remediation for devices in shared, remote, or contractor-accessible locations.
Validation and detection
- Confirm IOS XE software version on each Cisco device.
- Verify whether affected devices are physically accessible during operations or maintenance.
- Review local administrative account assignments and recent access changes.
- Review device and maintenance records for unexpected USB or console activity.
- Document remediation status against Cisco’s advisory guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-59: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-12672 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.2 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.35.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.2MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20190925 Cisco IOS XE Software Arbitrary Code Execution VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_CISCO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.