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

Severity: medium (CVSS 4.9 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 1.3% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2020-01-06 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-611

Description

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.

Affected products

Cisco Data Center Network Manager: before 11.3\(1\) — fixed in 11.3\(1\)

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Cisco Data Center Network Manager 11.3\(1\). Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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