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CVE Record

CVE-2019-15983: Cisco Data Center Network Manager XML External Entity Read Access Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the SOAP API of Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to gain read access to information that is stored on an affected system. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need administrative privileges on the DCNM application. The vulnerability exists because the SOAP API improperly handles XML External Entity (XXE) entries when parsing certain XML files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting malicious XML content in an API request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read arbitrary files from the affected device. Note: The severity of this vulnerability is aggravated by the vulnerabilities described in the Cisco Data Center Network Manager Authentication Bypass Vulnerabilities advisory, published simultaneously with this one.

MediumCVSS 4.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Cisco DCNM has an XML parsing flaw in its SOAP API that can let a remote administrator read files from the affected system. The base severity is medium, but Cisco notes the risk is worse when considered with related DCNM authentication bypass vulnerabilities published at the same time.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate-priority confidentiality risk. Prioritize faster if DCNM is internet-reachable, widely administered, or has not been assessed for the related authentication bypass vulnerabilities Cisco disclosed at the same time.

Technical view

CVE-2019-15983 is a CWE-611 XXE issue in Cisco Data Center Network Manager SOAP API handling of certain XML files. An authenticated remote attacker with DCNM administrative privileges could trigger arbitrary file read. CVSS v3.0 is 4.9: network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, high confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to environments running Cisco Data Center Network Manager where the SOAP API is reachable and administrative credentials are compromised or misused. The source bundle does not provide specific affected versions or CPEs, so asset owners must verify Cisco DCNM deployments against Cisco’s advisory.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires administrative privileges on DCNM according to Cisco. Risk increases if paired with the simultaneously disclosed Cisco DCNM authentication bypass vulnerabilities referenced by the advisory.

Researcher notes

Key uncertainty is affected version detail, which is not present in the supplied bundle. The important research angle is chaining potential: this flaw needs high privileges, but Cisco explicitly says severity is aggravated by related DCNM authentication bypass vulnerabilities.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Cisco’s advisory for affected and fixed DCNM releases.
  • Restrict DCNM administrative access to trusted administrators only.
  • Limit network reachability to DCNM management interfaces and SOAP API endpoints.
  • Investigate the related DCNM authentication bypass advisories cited by Cisco.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Cisco Data Center Network Manager instances in the environment.
  • Confirm installed DCNM versions against Cisco’s advisory.
  • Review who has DCNM administrative privileges.
  • Check whether DCNM management services are reachable from untrusted networks.
  • Review logs for unusual privileged SOAP API activity.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

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

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-611: Exact CWE lookup

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description · low confidence lookup

Credential and access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2019-15983 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.9 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.9CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4.9Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2019-15983Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
CiscoCisco Data Center Network ManagerunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-611 · source CWE mapping

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.