Cisco IOS: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
CVE-2022-20726 is a high-severity improper handling of exceptional conditions vulnerability in Cisco IOS from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.13% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 67% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco IOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on tools.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco IOS | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cgr1000 Compute Module | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | Ic3000 Industrial Compute Gateway | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | iOS | 15.2\(5\)e1; 15.2\(5\)e2c; 15.2\(6\)e0a; 15.2\(6\)e1; 15.2\(6\)e2a; 15.2\(7\)e; 15.2\(7\)e0b; 15.2\(7\)e0s; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.5 | Medium | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 5.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
Multiple vulnerabilities in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment on multiple Cisco platforms could allow an attacker to inject arbitrary commands into the underlying host operating system, execute arbitrary code on the underlying host operating system, install applications without being authenticated, or conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the affected software. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
The product does not handle or incorrectly handles an exceptional condition.
More Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions vulnerabilities (CWE-755)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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