CVE-2020-3416

6.7 MEDIUM 0.3% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

Multiple vulnerabilities in the initialization routines that are executed during bootup of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco ASR 900 Series Aggregation Services Routers with a Route Switch Processor 3 (RSP3) installed could allow an authenticated, local attacker with high privileges to execute persistent code at bootup and break the chain of trust. These vulnerabilities are due to incorrect validations by boot scripts when specific ROM monitor (ROMMON) variables are set. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by copying a specific file to the local file system of an affected device and defining specific ROMMON variables. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to run arbitrary code on the underlying operating system (OS) with root privileges. To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker would need to have access to the root shell on the device or have physical access to the device.

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

2020-09-24 18:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 03:18 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: 2020-09-24 18:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 03:18 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-749
Record status: Modified

Affected

Cisco iOS Xe 16.12.1
Cisco iOS Xe 17.2

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

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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-2020-3416.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-3416. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record