CVE-2022-20681

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2022-04-15 15:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 04:24 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2022-04-15 15:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 04:24 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-266

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.1
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.1a
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.1b
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.1c
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.1s
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.11.2
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.12.1
• Cisco iOS Xe 16.12.1a

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

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-2022-20681.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2022-20681. 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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