CVE-2022-20775
Published: 30 September 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-20775 is a high-severity Path Traversal: '/../filedir' (CWE-25) vulnerability in Cisco Catalyst Sd-Wan Manager. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 39.9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 AC-3 (Access Enforcement) and AC-6 (Least Privilege).
Deeper analysis
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco SD-WAN Software stems from improper access controls on commands. This flaw, tracked as CVE-2022-20775, enables an authenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on affected systems. The issue carries a CVSS score of 7.8 and is associated with CWE-25 and CWE-22.
An authenticated local attacker can exploit the weakness by submitting a maliciously crafted command through the application CLI. A successful attack grants the ability to run arbitrary commands as the root user, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Cisco has published software updates that remediate the vulnerability, and the vendor states that no workarounds are available. The primary advisory is available at the Cisco Security Advisory link referenced in the CVE record.
EPSS scores for this CVE rose from a low baseline to a recorded peak of 0.0104, indicating emerging exploitation interest after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-26025
Vulnerability details
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco SD-WAN Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain elevated privileges. This vulnerability is due to improper access controls on commands within the application CLI. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by…
more
running a maliciously crafted command on the application CLI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability. https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sd-wan-priv-E6e8tEdF
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 25 February 2026
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly enforces proper authorization checks on individual CLI commands so an authenticated user cannot execute crafted commands that escalate to root.
Requires that CLI processes and user sessions operate with only the privileges needed for their function, blocking the root-level execution path exploited by this vulnerability.
Mandates prompt application of vendor patches that correct the improper command-level access controls described in the advisory.