Cisco IOS XE ROM Monitor Software for Cisco Industrial Switches OS Command Injection Vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Physical
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-78.
Summary
A vulnerability in the ROM Monitor (ROMMON) of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst IE3200, IE3300, and IE3400 Rugged Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst IE3400 Heavy Duty Series Switches, and Cisco Embedded Services 3300 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, physical attacker to execute unsigned code at system boot time. This vulnerability is due to incorrect validations of specific function arguments passed to a boot script when specific ROMMON variables are set. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by setting malicious values for a specific ROMMON variable. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute unsigned code and bypass the image verification check during the secure boot process of an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have unauthenticated, physical access to the device or obtain privileged access to the root shell on the device.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco IOS XE ROMMON Software | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Cisco IOS XE ROMMON Software VendorCisco Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe_rom_monitor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 7.0 | Vulnerable | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3200_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3300_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3400_heavy_duty_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3400_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
| cpe:2.3:h:cisco:ess_3300:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Cisco |
- cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe_rom_monitor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 7.0 Vulnerable ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3200_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3300_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3400_heavy_duty_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:catalyst_ie3400_rugged_switch:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
- cpe:2.3:h:cisco:ess_3300:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Cisco
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-1452
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-xhfj-h4w3-cwv4
References
More Cisco Ios Xe Rom Monitor vulnerabilities
- TI-2020-03070 Cisco IOS XE ROM Monitor Software Vulnerability CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.8
- TI-2022-05423 Cisco IOS XE ROM Monitor Software for Catalyst Switches Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.6
Sources
- CVE-2021-1452 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-1452 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-xhfj-h4w3-cwv4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences