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Tag: cisco

  • CVE-2025-20125: Cisco Identity Services Engine API Authorization Bypass Vulnerability

    Cisco ISE API Authorization Bypass: A Critical Vulnerability

    On February 5, 2025, Cisco published details of a critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-20125, affecting multiple versions of the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and its Passive Identity Connector. This flaw exposes systems to unauthorized changes, even when attackers possess only read-only administrative credentials.

    Understanding the Vulnerability

    This vulnerability arises from improper authorization checks (categorized under CWE-285) within a specific API endpoint of Cisco ISE. Affected systems do not correctly validate user permissions, allowing low-privilege users to:

    • Access sensitive information
    • Modify system configurations
    • Restart the device

    The root causes include:

    • Insufficient authorization enforcement
    • Improper validation of user-supplied input

    Even though an attacker must have valid read-only credentials, exploitation can result in severe consequences, especially in single-node deployments where authentication services are disrupted during a system reload.

    CVSS Score and Technical Impact

    This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 (CRITICAL), calculated from the following vector string:

    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:H

    This scoring reflects the following attributes:

    • Attack Vector (AV): Network – remotely exploitable
    • Attack Complexity (AC): Low – requires minimal effort
    • Privileges Required (PR): Low – read-only access is sufficient
    • User Interaction (UI): None – no user action required
    • Scope: Changed – impacts resources beyond the vulnerable component
    • Confidentiality/Integrity Impact: Low
    • Availability Impact: High – device reloads can disrupt services

    Affected Versions

    The vulnerability affects a wide range of Cisco ISE software versions from 2.7.0 patch 8 to 3.3.0 and various patches. The Passive Identity Connector for versions 3.0.0 to 3.3.0 is also impacted. For a complete list, refer to the official advisory linked below.

    Mitigation and Remediation

    Cisco has released security advisories and encourages all users to upgrade to fixed software versions. No workarounds are currently available. Organizations should:

    • Restrict access to the vulnerable API endpoints
    • Regularly audit privilege levels for administrative users
    • Monitor systems for abnormal configuration changes

    Public Disclosure and Exploitation

    As of publication, no public exploitation or active attacks have been reported. However, due to the vulnerability’s severity and scope, timely patching is critical.

    References

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-20125 highlights the importance of robust authorization mechanisms in API design. Even with restricted credentials, attackers can severely compromise enterprise infrastructure if backend validations are insufficient. Cisco users are strongly urged to verify their software versions and apply the necessary patches immediately.

  • CVE-2025-20156: Critical Privilege Escalation in Cisco Meeting Management REST API

    Overview

    CVE-2025-20156 identifies a critical vulnerability in the Cisco Meeting Management (CMM) application, affecting multiple versions from 2.9.0 through 3.9.0. The vulnerability lies in the REST API, which fails to enforce proper authorization controls, enabling low-privileged users to escalate their privileges to administrator.

    Technical Details

    This flaw is classified under CWE-274: Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges. A remote, authenticated attacker with low-level access can send crafted API requests to a specific endpoint. Due to insufficient authorization enforcement, these requests are incorrectly processed, granting elevated access rights.

    With administrator-level control, an attacker can take over edge nodes managed by Cisco Meeting Management, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive communication systems.

    CVSS Score and Severity

    The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.9 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: Low
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Impact: High on confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    Impact

    Successful exploitation of this vulnerability enables an attacker to:

    • Gain full administrative privileges
    • Control system configurations and user access
    • Access or manipulate sensitive meeting data
    • Potentially pivot to other internal systems managed through CMM

    Given the high impact and network accessibility, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to enterprise environments relying on Cisco Meeting Management.

    Mitigation

    • Apply Cisco’s patches for all affected versions as outlined in their advisory.
    • Review and restrict API access using network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs).
    • Monitor logs for unusual REST API calls or privilege escalation attempts.

    References

  • CVE-2025-20188: Critical File Upload and Command Execution Vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE

    Overview

    CVE-2025-20188 discloses a critical vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software running on Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs). This flaw allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to upload arbitrary files and execute commands with root privileges.

    Technical Details

    The root cause is the use of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) within the affected software. This credential grants unauthorized access to the AP image download interface. By crafting specific HTTPS requests, attackers can:

    • Upload arbitrary files
    • Perform path traversal
    • Execute arbitrary commands as the root user

    The vulnerable feature is not enabled by default, but if it is activated, the threat surface expands significantly for affected systems.

    Vulnerable Versions

    Affected versions of Cisco IOS XE Software include but are not limited to:

    • 17.7.1 through 17.14.1
    • 17.10.1b, 17.11.99SW, and several patch releases in between

    CVSS Score and Severity

    This vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0, the highest possible rating, indicating full compromise potential. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Impact: High confidentiality, integrity, and availability

    Impact

    A successful exploit allows complete system compromise, including the ability to upload and execute malicious payloads. Given that no authentication is required, the vulnerability poses a major risk, particularly in environments where the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature is enabled.

    Mitigation and Recommendations

    • Disable the affected feature if not in use.
    • Apply Cisco patches as referenced in the official advisory.
    • Restrict external access to management interfaces via firewall rules.
    • Monitor logs for suspicious file upload or command activity.

    References

  • CVE-2025-20124: Critical Java Deserialization Vulnerability in Cisco ISE

    Overview

    CVE-2025-20124 discloses a critical vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), affecting multiple versions including 2.7.0 patch 8 through 3.3 patch 3. This flaw stems from insecure deserialization of Java objects in an exposed API, allowing authenticated remote attackers to execute commands with root privileges.

    Technical Details

    This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. Cisco ISE fails to safely deserialize user-supplied Java byte streams received through a specific API endpoint. By submitting a crafted serialized Java object, an attacker with valid read-only administrative credentials can trigger arbitrary command execution and escalate privileges to root on the affected device.

    Though authentication is required, the low privileges needed and remote accessibility make this flaw particularly dangerous in multi-node or enterprise deployments.

    CVSS Score and Severity

    The vulnerability is rated as CRITICAL with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.9. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H. Breakdown:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: Low
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Impact: High integrity and availability, low confidentiality

    Impact

    Successful exploitation can allow attackers to:

    • Execute arbitrary system commands as root
    • Gain full control of the affected device
    • Disrupt authentication services in single-node deployments

    No public exploitation has been reported at this time, but the severity and nature of the vulnerability call for immediate attention.

    Mitigation

    • Apply security updates provided by Cisco as outlined in their advisory.
    • Restrict access to Cisco ISE management APIs using firewall rules and access control.
    • Monitor system logs for anomalous API requests or process behavior.

    References