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CVE Record

CVE-2020-3161: Cisco IP Phones Web Server Remote Code Execution and Denial of Service Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the web server for Cisco IP Phones could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute code with root privileges or cause a reload of an affected IP phone, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper input validation of HTTP requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web server of a targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to remotely execute code with root privileges or cause a reload of an affected IP phone, resulting in a DoS condition.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Known exploitedUpdated
Glexia's TakeHuman reviewed

Security readout for executives and security teams

Cisco IP phones can be taken over or forced to reboot through their built-in web server. The issue requires no login and can be triggered remotely if the phone web interface is reachable. Because CISA lists it in KEV, treat exposed devices as urgent. Exposure is most likely where Cisco IP phones have their web server enabled and reachable from untrusted networks. The provided bundle does not name exact affected models, firmware versions, or CPEs, so asset validation must use Cisco guidance. High priority. This is a critical, unauthenticated network issue affecting voice endpoints, with CISA KEV evidence of exploitation. Remediate or isolate exposed Cisco IP phones promptly, especially in environments where voice availability matters. Mitigation focus: Review Cisco advisory for affected models, fixed software, and vendor workarounds.; Prioritize remediation for reachable Cisco IP phone web interfaces.; Restrict phone web server access to trusted management networks only..

Prepared
Reviewed

Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-3161 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
Yes
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CISA KEV status

Status
Known exploited
Source
CISA / ADP
Date added
Not provided

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.8CVSS 3.0CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-3161Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
CiscoCisco IP phonen/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-20 · source CWE mapping

Improper Input Validation

Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.