CVE-2022-20826

Persistent boot code execution via memory injection

Published Nov 10, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Secure boot bypass in Cisco ASA and FTD Software on Secure Firewall 3100 devices allows physically proximate attackers to execute persistent boot code. A boot-process logic error accepts malicious code injected into a specific memory location, allowing it to execute at boot and break the chain of trust. Physical access to an affected 3100 device during boot is required, and successful exploitation establishes persistent code execution before normal startup.

CVSS severity6.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Secure boot bypass in Cisco ASA and FTD Software on Secure Firewall 3100 devices allows physically proximate attackers to execute persistent boot code. A boot-process logic error accepts malicious code injected into a specific memory location, allowing it to execute at boot and break the chain of trust. Physical access to an affected 3100 device during boot is required, and successful exploitation establishes persistent code execution before normal startup.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-20826
Published
Nov 10, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
ClamAV
Product
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
Classifications
CWE-501, T1542
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 10, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 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=9.17.1
  2. Affected versionversion=9.17.1.10
  3. Affected versionversion=9.17.1.13
  4. Affected versionversion=9.17.1.9
  5. Affected versionversion=9.18.1
  6. Affected versionversion=9.18.1.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

ClamAV · Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Softwareversion=9.17.1; version=9.17.1.10; version=9.17.1.13; version=9.17.1.9; version=9.18.1; version=9.18.1.3
ClamAV · Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Softwareversion=7.1.0; version=7.2.0; version=7.2.0.1

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.4Cisco Systems, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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.

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)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-501Trust Boundary Violation
T1542Pre-OS Boot

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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