Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects specific Cisco IOS XE switches during boot processing. An attacker already authenticated locally with root shell access could alter boot options and run malicious code, potentially bypassing Secure Boot and gaining root-level control of the device.
Executive priority
Treat this as moderate urgency. It is not shown as actively exploited and requires high local privilege, but successful abuse could undermine Secure Boot and device integrity on critical network infrastructure.
Technical view
CVE-2020-3207 is a CWE-77 command injection issue in Cisco IOS XE Software boot option handling. The CVSS 3.0 score is 6.7: local access, low complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to specific Cisco IOS XE switch deployments, with Cisco IOS XE Software 16.9.2 named in the bundle. Confirm affected models and releases against Cisco's advisory because the prompt does not include a full affected-platform list.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated local access with root shell privileges, making this a post-compromise or insider-risk concern rather than a directly remote attack path.
Researcher notes
The key constraint is the privilege requirement: authenticated local attacker with root shell access. The impact is severe after that point, including malicious code execution during boot. The source bundle lacks fixed-release details, exploit maturity, and complete affected-model data.
Mitigation direction
- Check Cisco's advisory for affected platforms and fixed software guidance.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or high-trust network infrastructure.
- Restrict administrative and local shell access to trusted operators only.
- Review change controls around boot configuration and device restart procedures.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco IOS XE switches and record software versions.
- Compare device models and releases with Cisco's advisory.
- Confirm whether Cisco IOS XE Software 16.9.2 is present.
- Review boot option changes for unauthorized or unexplained modifications.
- Verify administrative access paths are logged and tightly controlled.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-3207 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.7 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20200603 Cisco IOS XE Software Command Injection VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_CISCO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.