Cisco IOS XE up to 17.14.1a Bootstrap Loading improper validation of specified type of input

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as problematic has been discovered in Cisco IOS XE. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Bootstrap Loading. Executing a manipulation can lead to improper validation of specified type of input. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-20155. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Cisco IOS XE. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects an unknown functionality of the component Bootstrap Loading. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper validation of specified type of input vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-1287. The product receives input that is expected to be of a certain type, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input is actually of the expected type. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A vulnerability in the bootstrap loading of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to write arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of the bootstrap file that is read by the system software when a device is first deployed in SD-WAN mode or when an administrator configures SD-Routing on the device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a bootstrap file generated by Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, loading it into the device flash, and then either reloading the device in a green field deployment in SD-WAN mode or configuring the device with SD-Routing. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary file writes to the underlying operating system.

The advisory is shared for download at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-20155 since 10/10/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 235488 (Cisco IOS XE Software Bootstrap Arbitrary File Write (cisco-sa-bootstrap-KfgxYgdh)), 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 (235488). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.0

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

CNA Base Score: 6.0
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 validation of specified type of input
CWE: CWE-1287 / CWE-20
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: 235488
Nessus Name: Cisco IOS XE Software Bootstrap Arbitrary File Write (cisco-sa-bootstrap-KfgxYgdh)

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 🔍
08/01/2025 +86 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: cisco.com

Advisory: cisco-sa-bootstrap-KfgxYgdh
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-20155 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-20155
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-307924
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150108

Entryinfo

Created: 05/07/2025 20:20
Updated: 08/01/2025 02:11
Changes: 05/07/2025 20:20 (64), 05/08/2025 16:30 (2), 08/01/2025 02:11 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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