CVE-2022-20650Network attack vector

Root command execution via crafted NX-API request

Published Feb 23, 2022 · Updated Nov 6, 2024

Command injection in Cisco NX-OS Software allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands as root through NX-API. Insufficient input validation in the NX-API lets data from a crafted HTTP POST request alter operating-system command execution. NX-API must be enabled, although it is disabled by default; successful exploitation grants root-level command execution on the device.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability14.55%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in Cisco NX-OS Software allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands as root through NX-API. Insufficient input validation in the NX-API lets data from a crafted HTTP POST request alter operating-system command execution. NX-API must be enabled, although it is disabled by default; successful exploitation grants root-level command execution on the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-20650
Published
Feb 23, 2022
Updated
Nov 6, 2024
Vendor
ClamAV
Product
Cisco NX-OS Software
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 23, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 6, 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?

ClamAV · Cisco NX-OS Softwareversion=n/a

Published CVSS scores

9.0NISTAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
8.8CiscoCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
8.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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