Cisco IOS XE up to 17.16.1a HTTP API Subsystem command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Cisco IOS XE. This impacts an unknown function of the component HTTP API Subsystem. The manipulation results in command injection. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-20334. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Cisco IOS XE. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component HTTP API Subsystem. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a command injection vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-77. The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A vulnerability in the HTTP API subsystem of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow a remote attacker to inject commands that will execute with root privileges into the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker with administrative privileges could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to an affected system and performing an API call with crafted input. Alternatively, an unauthenticated attacker could persuade a legitimate user with administrative privileges who is currently logged in to the system to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user.

The advisory is shared for download at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-20334 since 10/10/2024. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 09/25/2025). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2025-31037). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Router Operating System

Vendor

• Cisco

Name

• IOS XE

Version

• 17.9.5
• 17.9.5a
• 17.9.5b
• 17.9.5e
• 17.9.5f
• 17.9.6
• 17.9.6a
• 17.9.7
• 17.9.7a
• 17.9.7b
• 17.12.2
• 17.12.2a
• 17.12.3
• 17.12.3a
• 17.12.4
• 17.12.4a
• 17.12.4b
• 17.12.5
• 17.12.5a
• 17.12.5b
• 17.12.5c
• 17.13.1
• 17.13.1a
• 17.14.1
• 17.14.1a
• 17.15.1
• 17.15.1a
• 17.15.1b
• 17.15.1w
• 17.15.1x
• 17.15.1y
• 17.15.1z
• 17.15.2
• 17.15.2a
• 17.15.2b
• 17.15.2c
• 17.16.1
• 17.16.1a

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.cisco.com/

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

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