Cisco IOS XE up to 17.15.1w CLI improper authentication

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Cisco IOS XE and classified as critical. This affects an unknown function of the component CLI. The manipulation results in improper authentication. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-20199. Attacking locally is a requirement. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Cisco IOS XE. Affected is an unknown code of the component CLI. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is shared for download at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-20199 since 10/10/2024. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. There are neither technical details nor an exploit 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). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

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: Improper authentication
CWE: CWE-287
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-2025-20199 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-20199
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-307920
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150108

Entryinfo

Created: 05/07/2025 20:19
Updated: 07/08/2025 16:27
Changes: 05/07/2025 20:19 (65), 05/08/2025 16:30 (2), 07/08/2025 16:27 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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