CVE-2020-3234

Name: CVE-2020-3234
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-06-03T18:15:21.37+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 0.34%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-3234 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the virtual console authentication of Cisco IOS Software for Cisco 809 and 829 Industrial Integrated Services Routers (Industrial ISRs) and Cisco 1000 Series Connected Grid Routers (CGR1000) could allow an authenticated but low-privileged, local attacker to log in to the Virtual Device Server (VDS) of an affected device by using a set of default credentials. The vulnerability is due to the presence of weak, hard-coded credentials. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the virtual console authentication of Cisco IOS Software for Cisco 809 and 829 Industrial Integrated Services Routers (Industrial ISRs) and Cisco 1000 Series Connected Grid Routers (CGR1000) could allow an authenticated but low-privileged, local attacker to log in to the Virtual Device Server (VDS) of an affected device by using a set of default credentials. The vulnerability is due to the presence of weak, hard-coded credentials. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device and then connecting to VDS through the device’s virtual console by using the static credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access the Linux shell of VDS as the root user.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.34%

25.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios	12.2\(60\)ez16
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sg11a
Cisco	Ios	15.3\(3\)jaa1
Cisco	Ios	15.3\(3\)jpj
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(1\)cg
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(2\)cg
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m1
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m2
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m3
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m4
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m5
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m6
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m6a
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m7
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m8
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m9
Cisco	Ios	15.4\(3\)m10
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(1\)t
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(1\)t2
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(1\)t3
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(1\)t4
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(2\)t
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(2\)t1
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(2\)t2
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(2\)t3
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(2\)t4
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m0a
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m1
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m2
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m2a
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m3
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m4
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m4a
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m5
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m6
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m6a
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m7
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m8
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m9
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m10
Cisco	Ios	15.5\(3\)m11
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(1\)t
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(1\)t0a
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(1\)t1
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(1\)t2
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(1\)t3
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(2\)t
Cisco	Ios	15.6\(2\)t1

Showing 50 of 87 affected configurations. See NVD for the full list.

References

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ios-iot-vds-cred-uPMp9zbYPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ios-iot-vds-cred-uPMp9zbYPatch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 3, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-3234?

How severe is CVE-2020-3234?

CVE-2020-3234 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.34% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3234?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-3234?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST