CVE-2020-3168

What it is

A vulnerability in the Secure Login Enhancements capability of Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause an affected Nexus 1000V Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) to become inaccessible to users through the CLI. The vulnerability is due to improper resource allocation during failed CLI login attempts when login parameters that are part of the Secure Login Enhancements capability are configured on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by performing a high amount of login attempts against the affected device. A successful exploit could cause the affected device to become inaccessible to other users, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition requiring a manual power cycle of the VSM to recover.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

1.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2020-02-26 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-02-26 17:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:17 UTC

Exploit probability

1.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-399

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco nx-os 5.2\(1\)sv3\(4.1a\)

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-3168.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-3168. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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