CVE-2022-20699
Published: March 3, 2022
Official Description
A vulnerability in Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers could allow an attacker to do any of the following: Execute arbitrary code elevate privileges, execute arbitrary commands, bypass authentication and authorization protections, fetch and run unsigned software, or cause a denial of service (DoS).
CISA KEV Advisory
Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers Stack-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
A vulnerability in Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers could allow an attacker to do any of the following: Execute arbitrary code elevate privileges, execute arbitrary commands, bypass authentication and authorization protections, fetch and run unsigned software, or cause a denial of service (DoS).
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers contain a vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, bypass authentication, run unsigned software, or cause a denial of service. The high EPSS score of 0.89901 and its presence in CISA's KEV indicate a critical and actively exploited threat.
This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild, as indicated by its inclusion in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Apply the latest security updates from Cisco for the affected Small Business RV Series Routers. Restrict administrative access to these devices and ensure strong authentication is enforced.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2022-20699 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2022-20699 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (1)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2022-20699 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1