CVE-2025-20188

Name: CVE-2025-20188
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2025-05-07T18:15:38.617+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 10/10EPSS 17.89%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2025-20188 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 10/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. EPSS estimates a 17.89% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

10/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

17.89%

96.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-798

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.11.1
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.11.99sw
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.12.1
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.12.2
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.12.3
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.13.1
Cisco	Ios Xe	17.14.1

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfCVendor Advisory
https://horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/cisco-ios-xe-wlc-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-cve-2025-20188-analysis/Exploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-20188?

How severe is CVE-2025-20188?

CVE-2025-20188 has a CVSS score of 10/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 17.89% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20188?

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-2025-20188?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST