CVE-2022-20681 Privilege escalation in Cisco IOS XE Software

High 7.8 Published 15 Apr 2022 Updated 16 Sep 2024

An authenticated local attacker can elevate privileges to level 15 on Cisco Catalyst 9000 devices by executing specific CLI commands.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2022-20681?

CVE-2022-20681 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 15 Apr 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Switches and Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to level 15 on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user privileges after the user executes certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to an affected device as a low-privileged user and then executing certain CLI commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with level 15 privileges on the affected device.

Weakness: CWE-266

Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-20681?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2022-20681?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-20681 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2022-20681 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-20681 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-m8cx-f5qj-q68r.