Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-16011 affects Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software. A user who can authenticate to the device CLI could submit specially crafted input that causes commands to run with root privileges. This is serious because root access can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the SD-WAN device.
Executive priority
High priority for organizations using Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN, especially where CLI access is broadly granted. The attack requires authentication, but successful exploitation gives root privileges and could affect core network operations.
Technical view
The issue is a command injection flaw in the Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN CLI caused by insufficient input validation. CVSS v3.0 is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high CIA impact. The mapped weakness is CWE-77.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software systems where an attacker has authenticated CLI access. The provided bundle does not identify specific affected versions, so vulnerability managers must map device software versions against Cisco guidance.
Exploitation context
The sources describe an authenticated local CLI attack path. The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited evidence of active exploitation. Do not treat this as unauthenticated remote exploitation based on the provided evidence.
Researcher notes
Evidence is complete for vulnerability class, privilege requirement, and impact, but incomplete for affected version ranges and fixed releases in the supplied bundle. Validation should focus on Cisco advisory matching, access control review, and operational telemetry rather than exploit reproduction.
Mitigation direction
- Check Cisco advisory for affected and fixed release guidance.
- Prioritize updates for confirmed IOS XE SD-WAN deployments.
- Restrict CLI access to trusted administrators only.
- Review and remove unnecessary local or shared accounts.
- Monitor device changes and privileged activity for anomalies.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN devices and software versions.
- Compare running versions with Cisco advisory applicability.
- Confirm only authorized users have CLI access.
- Review recent administrative activity for unexpected privileged changes.
- Track remediation status until affected devices are updated or otherwise addressed.
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-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. 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-2019-16011 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20200429 Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software Command Injection 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 Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.