Cisco IOS XE up to 17.16.1 Ethernet Frame data processing

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Cisco IOS XE. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Ethernet Frame Handler. Such manipulation leads to data processing. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2025-20311. The attack needs to be initiated within the local network. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Cisco IOS XE and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown functionality of the component Ethernet Frame Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a data processing vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-19. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

A vulnerability in the handling of certain Ethernet frames in Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause an egress port to become blocked and drop all outbound traffic. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of crafted Ethernet frames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted Ethernet frames through an affected switch. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the egress port to which the crafted frame is forwarded to start dropping all frames, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.

The advisory is shared for download at sec.cloudapps.cisco.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-20311 since 10/10/2024. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack can only be done within the local network. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 01/07/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 282326 (Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Series Switches DoS (cisco-sa-cat9k-PtmD7bgy)), 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 (282326). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.8

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.4
CNA Vector (cisco): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Data processing
CWE: CWE-19
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 282326
Nessus Name: Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Series Switches DoS (cisco-sa-cat9k-PtmD7bgy)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

10/10/2024 CVE reserved
09/24/2025 +349 days Advisory disclosed
09/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/07/2026 +105 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: cisco.com

Advisory: cisco-sa-cat9k-PtmD7bgy
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-20311 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-20311
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-325760
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150108

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2025 19:28
Updated: 01/07/2026 21:55
Changes: 09/24/2025 19:28 (64), 01/07/2026 21:55 (2)
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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