CVE-2022-20944

Unsigned code execution via improper image verification

Published Oct 10, 2022 · Updated Nov 1, 2024

Improper image verification in Cisco IOS XE Software on Catalyst 9200 switches allows attackers to execute unsigned code during boot. The boot-time signature-verification function improperly accepts an unsigned system image instead of rejecting it before execution. Exploitation requires physical access or privileged root-shell access; level-15 users can downgrade to a release with more accessible root-shell access.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper image verification in Cisco IOS XE Software on Catalyst 9200 switches allows attackers to execute unsigned code during boot. The boot-time signature-verification function improperly accepts an unsigned system image instead of rejecting it before execution. Exploitation requires physical access or privileged root-shell access; level-15 users can downgrade to a release with more accessible root-shell access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-20944
Published
Oct 10, 2022
Updated
Nov 1, 2024
Vendor
ClamAV
Product
Cisco IOS XE Software
Classifications
CWE-347, T1601.001
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 10, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 1, 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 vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

ClamAV · Cisco IOS XE Softwareversion=n/a

Published CVSS scores

6.1Cisco Systems, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
6.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-347Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
T1601.001Patch System Image

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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