CVE-2020-3238Network attack vector

Authenticated arbitrary file write via malicious package

Published Jun 3, 2020 · Updated Nov 15, 2024

Improper input validation in Cisco IOx Application Framework before 1.9.0 allows remote authenticated users to modify arbitrary files. The framework insufficiently validates user-supplied application packages, allowing package contents to write or alter files inside the hosting virtual instance. Exploitation requires permission to upload an IOx package, and the resulting integrity and availability impact remains confined to that virtual instance rather than the underlying device.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.23%
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 IOx Application Framework before 1.9.0 allows remote authenticated users to modify arbitrary files. The framework insufficiently validates user-supplied application packages, allowing package contents to write or alter files inside the hosting virtual instance. Exploitation requires permission to upload an IOx package, and the resulting integrity and availability impact remains confined to that virtual instance rather than the underlying device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-3238
Published
Jun 3, 2020
Updated
Nov 15, 2024
Vendor
Cisco
Product
Cisco IOx
Classifications
CWE-20, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Cisco · Cisco IOxversion=n/a

Published CVSS scores

8.1Cisco Systems, Inc.CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
8.1NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
5.5NISTAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:N/I:P/A:P

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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