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CVE-2020-3503: Cisco IOS XE Software Guest Shell Unauthorized File System Access Vulnerability

• Severity: medium (CVSS 6.0 v3.1)
• Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
• EPSS: 0.3% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
• Public exploit or detection template: none known
• Published: 2020-09-24 · updated 2026-06-17
• Weakness: CWE-284

Description

A vulnerability in the file system permissions of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to obtain read and write access to critical configuration or system files. The vulnerability is due to insufficient file system permissions on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to an affected device's guest shell, and accessing or modifying restricted files. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view or modify restricted information or configurations that are normally not accessible to system administrators.

Affected products

• Cisco IOS XE: 16.12.1

References

• https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-unauth-file-access-eBTWkKVW
• https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-unauth-file-access-eBTWkKVW

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