CVE-2022-20725: Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Vulnerabilities

The vulnerabilities are not dependent on one another. Exploitation of one of the vulnerabilities is not required to exploit another vulnerability. In addition, a software release that is affected by one of the vulnerabilities may not be affected by the other vulnerabilities.

Details about the vulnerabilities are as follows:

CVE-2022-20718: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Parameter Injection Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute a parameter injection using the Cisco IOx API.

This vulnerability is due to incomplete sanitization of parameters that are passed in for activation of an application. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by deploying and activating an application in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment with a crafted activation payload file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root on the underlying host operating system.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy35913
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20718
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20719: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Parameter Injection Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute a parameter injection using the Cisco IOx API.

This vulnerability is due to incomplete sanitization of parameters that are passed in as part of the IOx package descriptor. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting an IOx package descriptor file and then building and deploying an application in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root on the underlying host operating system.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86583
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20719
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20720: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Path Traversal Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read or write arbitrary data on the underlying host operating system.

This vulnerability exists because a real path check is not performed on the requested data. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a symbolic link within the deployed application and requesting data using the API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read or execute arbitrary code as root on the underlying host operating system.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy30957
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20720
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20723: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying host operating system.

This vulnerability is due to incomplete sanitization of parameters that are passed in for activation of an application. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by deploying and activating an application in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment with a crafted activation payload file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root on the underlying host operating system.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86603
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20723
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20725: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the web-based Local Manager interface of the Cisco IOx application hosting environment could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based Local Manager interface of an affected device. The attacker must have valid Local Manager credentials.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based Local Manager interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into a system settings tab. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected web interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86608
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20725
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVE-2022-20724: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment User Impersonation Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and impersonate another authenticated user session.

This vulnerability is due to a race condition for allocation of the token. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by constantly trying a call to the upload API, and if the calls occur at the same time as an authorized administrator deploying an application, the attacker may race the token and be given the ability to bypass authentication. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass authentication.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86604
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20724
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.3
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20726: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Denial of Service Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of Cisco 809 Industrial Integrated Services Routers (Industrial ISRs), Cisco 829 Industrial ISRs, Cisco CGR 1000 Compute Modules, and Cisco IC3000 Industrial Compute Gateways could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient error handling of socket operations. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a sustained rate of crated TCP traffic to the IOx web server on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the IOx web server to stop processing requests, resulting in a DoS condition.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvx27640
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20726
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.3
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CVE-2022-20677: Cisco IOS XE Software Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment in Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges from privilege level 15 to root on an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to incomplete file protection for the Cisco IOx application hosting environment. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying the file system with a crafted payload. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy30903 CSCvy16608
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20677
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.1
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20727: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Privilege Escalation

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain escalated privileges.

This vulnerability is due to improper input validation when loading Cisco IOx applications. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying application content while a Cisco IOx application is loading. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain privileges equivalent to the root user.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy35914
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20727
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.1
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

CVE-2022-20721: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Arbitrary File Read Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read arbitrary files from the underlying operating system.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient path validation of command arguments within the Cisco IOx API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted command request using the API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read the contents of any file that is located on the host device filesystem.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86598
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20721
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 4.9
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVE-2022-20722: Cisco IOx Application Hosting Environment Path Traversal Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOx application hosting environment of multiple Cisco platforms could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read arbitrary files from the underlying host filesystem.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient path validation of command arguments within the Cisco IOx API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted command request using the API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read the contents of any file that is located on the underlying host filesystem.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Bug ID(s): CSCvy86602
CVE ID: CVE-2022-20722
Security Impact Rating (SIR): Medium
CVSS Base Score: 4.9
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.

Fixed Releases

At the time of publication, the release information in the following table(s) was accurate. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.

Cisco Platform

First Fixed Release

800 Series Industrial ISRs

Cisco IOS Software Release 15.9(3)M5 and later.

800 Series ISRs

Not fixed; IOx has reached end of life on Cisco 800 Series ISRs.

CGR1000 Compute Modules

IOx image for CGR1000 Compute Module 1.15.0.1

IC3000 Industrial Compute Gateways

Industrial Compute Gateway Software Release 1.4.1

IE 4000 Series Switches

Not fixed; IOx has reached end of life on the Cisco IE 4000 Series Switches.

IOS XE-based devices configured with IOx

Cisco IOS XE Software releases:

• 16.12(7) (All but CSCvy16608 are resolved in 16.12(6))
• 17.3(5)
• 17.6(2)
• 17.7(1) and later

For more information, see the Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Checker section below.

IR510 WPAN Industrial Routers

IR510 Operating System 6.5.9

The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory.

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software

To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker to identify any Cisco Security Advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities described in all the advisories identified (“Combined First Fixed”).

Customers can use the Cisco Software Checker to search advisories in the following ways:

• Choose the software and one or more releases
• Upload a .txt file that includes a list of specific releases
• Enter the output of the show version command

After initiating a search, customers can customize the search to include all Cisco Security Advisories, a specific advisory, or all advisories in the most recent bundled publication.

Customers can also use the following form to determine whether a release is affected by any Cisco Security Advisory by entering a Cisco IOS or IOS XE Software release-for example, 15.1(4)M2 or 3.13.8S:

By default, the Cisco Software Checker includes results only for vulnerabilities that have a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR). To include results for Medium SIR vulnerabilities, customers can use the Cisco Software Checker on Cisco.com and check the Medium check box in the drop-down list under Impact Rating when customizing a search.