CVE-2020-3228Network attack vector

Unauthenticated device reload via crafted SXP packets

Published Jun 3, 2020 · Updated Nov 15, 2024

Improper input validation in Cisco IOS allows remote attackers to reload affected devices by sending crafted SXP packets. The SXP listener mishandles crafted protocol packets rather than rejecting invalid input, which forces a device reload and interrupts service. Exposure requires an SXP peer in listener or both mode, traffic from the configured peer address, access to the listening address, a completed TCP handshake, and the SXP password when configured.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability1.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Cisco IOS allows remote attackers to reload affected devices by sending crafted SXP packets. The SXP listener mishandles crafted protocol packets rather than rejecting invalid input, which forces a device reload and interrupts service. Exposure requires an SXP peer in listener or both mode, traffic from the configured peer address, access to the listening address, a completed TCP handshake, and the SXP password when configured.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3228
Published
Jun 3, 2020
Updated
Nov 15, 2024
Vendor
Cisco
Product
Cisco IOS
Classifications
CWE-20, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 3, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=n/a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Cisco · Cisco IOSversion=n/a

Published CVSS scores

8.6NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H
7.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
6.8Cisco Systems, Inc.CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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-20Improper Input Validation
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

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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