How severe is CVE-2020-6998?

CVE-2020-6998 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.

Is CVE-2020-6998 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-6998?

CVE-2020-6998 primarily affects Rockwellautomation Armor Compact Guardlogix 5370 Firmware. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-6998?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-6998 published?

CVE-2020-6998 was published on 2022-07-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-6998

CVE-2020-6998 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Rockwellautomation Armor Compact Guardlogix 5370 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Rockwellautomation Armor Compact Guardlogix 5370 Firmware
Published: 2022-07-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The connection establishment algorithm found in Rockwell Automation CompactLogix 5370 and ControlLogix 5570 versions 33 and prior does not sufficiently manage its control flow during execution, creating an infinite loop. This may allow an attacker to send specially crafted CIP packet requests to a controller, which may cause denial-of-service conditions in communications with other products.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-6998?: The connection establishment algorithm found in Rockwell Automation CompactLogix 5370 and ControlLogix 5570 versions 33 and prior does not sufficiently manage its control flow during execution, creating an infinite loop. This may allow an attacker to send specially crafted CIP packet requests to a controller, which may cause denial-of-service conditions in communications with other products.
How severe is CVE-2020-6998?: CVE-2020-6998 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.
Is CVE-2020-6998 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-6998?: CVE-2020-6998 primarily affects Rockwellautomation Armor Compact Guardlogix 5370 Firmware. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-6998?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-6998 published?: CVE-2020-6998 was published on 2022-07-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:armor_compact_guardlogix_5370_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:compact_guardlogix_5370_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:compactlogix_5370_l1_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:compactlogix_5370_l2_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:compactlogix_5370_l3_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:controllogix_5570_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:guardlogix_5560_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:guardlogix_5570_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:rockwellautomation:guardlogix_5580_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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