CVE-2020-3417 Cisco IOS XE Software Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Medium 6.8 Published 24 Sep 2020 Updated 13 Nov 2024

Authenticated local attackers can execute persistent code at boot time by manipulating ROMMON variables, breaking the chain of trust.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2020-3417?

CVE-2020-3417 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 24 Sep 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust. This vulnerability is due to incorrect validations by boot scripts when specific ROM monitor (ROMMON) variables are set. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing code to a specific directory in the underlying operating system (OS) and setting a specific ROMMON variable. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute persistent code on the underlying OS. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need access to the root shell on the device or have physical access to the device.

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-3417?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3417?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-3417 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2020-3417 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-3417 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-q3pq-7jmm-xr4h.