CVE-2025-20344 in Nexus Dashboard
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2025
A vulnerability in the backup restore functionality of Cisco Nexus Dashboard could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a path traversal attack on an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of the contents of a backup file. An attacker with valid Administrator credentials could exploit this vulnerability by restoring a crafted backup file to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain root privileges on the underlying shell on the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20344 resides within the backup restore functionality of Cisco Nexus Dashboard, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of network infrastructure management systems. This issue affects Cisco Nexus Dashboard versions prior to 2.10.2 and demonstrates how seemingly routine administrative operations can become entry points for sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize backup file contents before processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system through legitimate administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a path traversal attack vector that operates through the backup restoration process. When an authenticated administrator attempts to restore a backup file, the system does not adequately validate the file structure or content paths contained within the backup archive. This weakness allows an attacker with valid administrative credentials to craft a malicious backup file containing specially designed file paths that traverse the filesystem hierarchy. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal in File Names or Directories, both of which are classified as high-risk issues in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. Attackers can manipulate the restore process to place malicious files in critical system directories, effectively bypassing normal access controls and gaining unauthorized control over the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with root-level access to the underlying shell of the affected device. This elevated privilege level enables comprehensive system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, install backdoors, and access sensitive network data. The implications are particularly severe for network infrastructure management systems like Cisco Nexus Dashboard, which serve as central control points for enterprise network operations. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as long as the attacker maintains valid administrative credentials. This attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548 Abuse of Cloud Admin Permissions, demonstrating how legitimate administrative tools can be weaponized for unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-20344 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates to the Cisco Nexus Dashboard software. Organizations should also implement strict backup file validation procedures, including digital signature verification and content scanning before restoration operations. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement can limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting administrative access to only necessary personnel and systems. Regular security audits of backup and restore processes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar validation gaps. Additional defensive measures include implementing automated monitoring for suspicious backup restoration activities and establishing secure backup storage protocols that prevent unauthorized modification of backup files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation across all system components, particularly those handling user-supplied data or configuration files, and demonstrates how security controls must be implemented at multiple layers to provide effective protection against such sophisticated attack vectors.