CVE-2020-3208

What it is

A vulnerability in the image verification feature of Cisco IOS Software for Cisco 809 and 829 Industrial Integrated Services Routers (Industrial ISRs) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to boot a malicious software image on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient access restrictions on the area of code that manages the image verification feature. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by first authenticating to the targeted device and then logging in to the Virtual Device Server (VDS) of an affected device. The attacker could then, from the VDS shell, disable Cisco IOS Software integrity (image) verification. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to boot a malicious Cisco IOS Software image on the targeted device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid user credentials at privilege level 15.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2020-06-03 18:15 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: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-06-03 18:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-264

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco iOS 12.2\(60\)ez16
• Cisco iOS 15.0\(2\)sg11a
• Cisco iOS 15.3\(3\)jaa1
• Cisco iOS 15.3\(3\)jpj
• Cisco iOS 15.5\(3\)m0a
• Cisco iOS 15.5\(3\)m1
• Cisco iOS 15.5\(3\)m2
• Cisco iOS 15.5\(3\)m2a

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.7

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

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-2020-3208.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-3208. 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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