Cisco IOS XE up to 17.15.1w CLI unusual condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in Cisco IOS XE. Affected is an unknown function of the component CLI. Performing a manipulation results in unusual condition. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-20198. The attack is only possible with local access. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Cisco IOS XE. This affects some unknown functionality of the component CLI. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a unusual condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-754. The product does not check or incorrectly checks for unusual or exceptional conditions that are not expected to occur frequently during day to day operation of the product. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when processing specific configuration commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input in specific configuration commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The security impact rating (SIR) of this advisory has been raised to High because an attacker could gain access to the underlying operating system of the affected device and perform potentially undetected actions. Note: The attacker must have privileges to enter configuration mode on the affected device. This is usually referred to as privilege level 15.

It is possible to read the advisory at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-20198 since 10/10/2024. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation needs additional levels of successful authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 235482 (Cisco IOS XE Software Privilege Escalation (cisco-sa-iosxe-privesc-su7scvdp)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (235482). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.6

VulDB Base Score: 4.2
VulDB Temp Score: 4.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.2
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 4.6
CNA Vector (cisco): 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Unusual condition
CWE: CWE-754
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 235482
Nessus Name: Cisco IOS XE Software Privilege Escalation (cisco-sa-iosxe-privesc-su7scvdp)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

10/10/2024 🔍
05/07/2025 +209 days 🔍
05/07/2025 +0 days 🔍
07/08/2025 +62 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: cisco.com

Advisory: cisco-sa-iosxe-privesc-su7scvdp
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-20198 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-20198
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-307911
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150108

Entryinfo

Created: 05/07/2025 20:15
Updated: 07/08/2025 16:27
Changes: 05/07/2025 20:15 (64), 05/08/2025 16:30 (2), 07/08/2025 16:27 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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