CVE-2025-20181

Name: CVE-2025-20181
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2025-05-07T18:15:37.973+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.8/10EPSS 0.16%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2025-20181 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software for Cisco Catalyst 2960X, 2960XR, 2960CX, and 3560CX Series Switches could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 or an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust. This vulnerability is due to missing signature verification for specific files that may be loaded during the device boot process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a crafted file into a specific location on an affected device. EPSS estimates a 0.16% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software for Cisco Catalyst 2960X, 2960XR, 2960CX, and 3560CX Series Switches could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 or an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust. This vulnerability is due to missing signature verification for specific files that may be loaded during the device boot process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a crafted file into a specific location on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code at boot time. Because this allows the attacker to bypass a major security feature of the device, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.

Metrics

CVSS 3.0

6.8/10

CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.16%

5.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-347

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ex
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)ey2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)xo
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(1\)xo1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex3
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex4
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex5
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex8
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex10
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex11
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex12
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)ex13
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)se8
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd1
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd2
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd3
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd4
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd5
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd6
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd7
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)sqd8
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2\)xo
Cisco	Ios	15.0\(2a\)ex5
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e1
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e2
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e3
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e4
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e5
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e5a
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e5b
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e6
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e7
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e8
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e9
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2\)e10
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2a\)e1
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(2a\)e2
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3\)e
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3\)e1
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3\)e2
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3\)e3
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3\)e4
Cisco	Ios	15.2\(3a\)e

Showing 50 of 106 affected configurations. See NVD for the full list.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-c2960-3560-sboot-ZtqADrHqVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 7, 2025
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-20181?

How severe is CVE-2025-20181?

CVE-2025-20181 has a CVSS score of 6.8/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20181?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2025-20181?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST