CVE-2020-3168Network attack vector

CLI denial of service via failed-login resource exhaustion

Published Feb 26, 2020 · Updated Nov 15, 2024

Resource exhaustion in Cisco NX-OS Software 5.2(1)SV3(4.1a) allows remote attackers to block CLI access to an affected Nexus 1000V VSM. The Secure Login Enhancements capability allocates resources improperly while processing a high volume of failed CLI login attempts. The nondefault login parameters must be configured; successful exploitation blocks every CLI user until the VSM is manually power-cycled.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.60%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Resource exhaustion in Cisco NX-OS Software 5.2(1)SV3(4.1a) allows remote attackers to block CLI access to an affected Nexus 1000V VSM. The Secure Login Enhancements capability allocates resources improperly while processing a high volume of failed CLI login attempts. The nondefault login parameters must be configured; successful exploitation blocks every CLI user until the VSM is manually power-cycled.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3168
Published
Feb 26, 2020
Updated
Nov 15, 2024
Vendor
ClamAV
Product
Cisco NX-OS Software
Classifications
CWE-399, T1499
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 26, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 15, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <n/a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

ClamAV · Cisco NX-OS Softwareversion=unspecified <n/a

Published CVSS scores

7.5CiscoCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-399Resource Management Errors
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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