CVE-2025-20193 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2025
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, low-privileged, remote attacker to perform an injection attack against an affected device.r
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted input to the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read files from the underlying operating system.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS XE Software, representing a critical security weakness that enables authenticated low-privileged remote attackers to execute injection attacks against affected devices. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or filter user-supplied data before processing. According to CWE-20, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Improper Input Validation," which is a fundamental weakness that allows malicious inputs to bypass security controls and potentially execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability affects the software's web interface component, which serves as the primary management entry point for network administrators and system operators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending carefully crafted input through the web-based management interface to trigger the injection attack. This type of attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes command and scripting interpreter usage, specifically targeting web interfaces. The attacker's ability to perform file reads from the underlying operating system demonstrates the severity of the flaw, as it allows extraction of sensitive system information, configuration files, and potentially credentials stored within the device's file system. The low-privileged nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require administrative privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by malicious actors who have gained limited access through other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with access to the device's internal file system, potentially exposing sensitive information such as network configurations, user credentials, and system logs. This access could enable further attacks within the network infrastructure, including lateral movement to other devices, privilege escalation, or the establishment of persistent access points. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the device, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate. Organizations using affected Cisco IOS XE Software versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential compromise of their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation controls and restricting access to the web-based management interface. Network administrators should ensure that all affected devices are updated with the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which typically address the input validation deficiencies. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, enforcing strict access controls through role-based permissions, and monitoring for unusual access patterns or unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 and its exploitation patterns align with ATT&CK framework's emphasis on input validation flaws and web interface attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the technical root cause and the operational security implications of such vulnerabilities.