Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Cisco NX-OS issue can let an already-authenticated administrator-level attacker turn Call Home settings into root-level command execution on a network device. The risk is serious where affected devices use Call Home over HTTP, but the provided sources do not show unauthenticated access or confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for network infrastructure teams. The attacker needs elevated access, but successful exploitation gives root-level control of affected devices, making this important for privileged-access review and NX-OS remediation planning.
Technical view
CVE-2020-3454 is a CWE-20 input validation flaw in NX-OS Call Home configuration parameters when HTTP transport is used. A remote attacker with high privileges can modify Call Home configuration and cause arbitrary commands to run as root on the underlying operating system.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Cisco NX-OS devices matching Cisco's affected guidance, especially systems with Call Home configured for HTTP transport and administrator-level accounts able to change that configuration.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector requires network access, low attack complexity, no user interaction, and high privileges. The source bundle does not include evidence of CISA KEV listing, public exploitation, or in-the-wild activity.
Researcher notes
The key constraints are high required privileges and the HTTP transport condition. The provided bundle lists Cisco NX-OS Software 5.0(1a), but Cisco's advisory should be treated as authoritative for full affected-release mapping and remediation details.
Mitigation direction
- Review the Cisco advisory for affected releases and supported remediation guidance.
- Upgrade or apply Cisco-supported fixes after confirming the exact NX-OS platform and version.
- Restrict NX-OS configuration privileges to trusted administrators only.
- Assess whether Call Home HTTP transport is required before changing operational settings.
- Monitor administrative changes to Call Home configuration parameters.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco NX-OS devices and compare versions with Cisco's advisory.
- Identify devices where Call Home is enabled with HTTP transport.
- Review accounts or roles that can modify Call Home configuration.
- Check change logs for unexpected Call Home configuration edits.
- Confirm remediation status after applying Cisco-supported updates or changes.
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
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CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
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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-2020-3454 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.2 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/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:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20200826 Cisco NX-OS Software Call Home 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.