# CVE-2022-20649: Cisco Redundancy Configuration Manager Debug Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands as root on Cisco RCM due to debug mode being incorrectly enabled.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Nov 2024
- **Updated:** 15 Nov 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3rrh-hp3f-9r6p

## What is CVE-2022-20649?

CVE-2022-20649 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Cisco Redundancy Configuration Manager, published on 15 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability in Cisco RCM for Cisco StarOS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform remote code execution on the application with root-level privileges in the context of the configured container.

This vulnerability exists because the debug mode is incorrectly enabled for specific services. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to the device and navigating to the service with debug mode enabled. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user.
The attacker would need to perform detailed reconnaissance to allow for unauthenticated access. The vulnerability can also be exploited by an authenticated attacker.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-489 (Active Debug Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-20649?


## How do I fix CVE-2022-20649?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-20649 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-20649 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-20649 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-20649 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-20649 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Cisco Redundancy Configuration Manager, published on 15 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-20649 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Cisco Redundancy Configuration Manager. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-20649/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-20649/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-20649
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-20649
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-20649

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-20649/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.