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CVE Record

CVE-2020-3230: Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Internet Key Exchange Version 2 Denial of Service Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) implementation in Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to prevent IKEv2 from establishing new security associations. The vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of crafted IKEv2 SA-Init packets. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted IKEv2 SA-Init packets to the affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to reach the maximum incoming negotiation limits and prevent further IKEv2 security associations from being formed.

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw can stop affected Cisco IOS or IOS XE devices from creating new IKEv2 VPN security sessions. It does not expose data, but it can disrupt VPN availability for users, sites, or services that depend on new IPsec/IKEv2 associations.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where Cisco VPN infrastructure supports workforce access, site connectivity, or critical operations. The business risk is service disruption rather than data theft. Remediation urgency depends on whether IKEv2 is enabled and reachable from untrusted networks.

Technical view

CVE-2020-3230 is an unauthenticated remote denial-of-service issue in Cisco IOS and IOS XE IKEv2 handling. Incorrect processing of crafted SA-Init packets can cause the device to hit maximum incoming negotiation limits, blocking new IKEv2 security associations. CVSS is 7.5, availability-only impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Cisco IOS or IOS XE devices running affected software with IKEv2 enabled, especially where VPN negotiation is reachable from untrusted networks. The bundle specifically lists Cisco IOS 15.1(2)T, but the advisory title also covers IOS XE; confirm exact affected releases with Cisco guidance.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe remote unauthenticated exploitation conditions, but do not show public exploitation or active attacks. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle, so active exploitation should not be asserted from this evidence.

Researcher notes

The source bundle gives strong root-cause and impact detail but limited affected-version and remediation detail. Avoid assuming exploit availability, fixed releases, or broad product coverage beyond Cisco IOS/IOS XE guidance. Focus validation on IKEv2 exposure, version matching, and availability telemetry.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Cisco advisory for affected and fixed software releases.
  • Prioritize remediation for internet-reachable IKEv2 VPN endpoints.
  • Limit IKEv2 reachability to trusted peers where operationally possible.
  • Monitor VPN negotiation failures and capacity-limit symptoms.
  • Track Cisco guidance before making release or configuration assumptions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Cisco IOS and IOS XE devices providing IKEv2/IPsec services.
  • Confirm software versions against the Cisco advisory.
  • Identify interfaces where IKEv2 negotiation is externally reachable.
  • Review telemetry for blocked or failed IKEv2 security associations.
  • Validate remediation by confirming supported fixed versions are installed.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-3230 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
2Source links

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
7.5CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H3.93.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-3230Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
CiscoCisco IOS 15.1(2)Tn/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-20

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