CVE-2025-20197

HIGHCVSS 8.2/10EPSS 0.14%

Last modified

CVE-2025-20197 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.2/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when processing specific configuration commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input in specific configuration commands. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when processing specific configuration commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input in specific configuration commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The security impact rating (SIR) of this advisory has been raised to High because an attacker could gain access to the underlying operating system of the affected device and perform potentially undetected actions. Note: The attacker must have privileges to enter configuration mode on the affected device. This is usually referred to as privilege level 15.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
8.2/10

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

EPSS Probability
0.14%

4.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

VendorProductVersions
CiscoIos Xe3.7.0bs
CiscoIos Xe3.7.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.1as
CiscoIos Xe3.7.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.2ts
CiscoIos Xe3.7.3s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.4as
CiscoIos Xe3.7.4s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.5s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.6s
CiscoIos Xe3.7.7s
CiscoIos Xe3.8.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.8.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.8.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.9.0as
CiscoIos Xe3.9.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.9.1as
CiscoIos Xe3.9.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.9.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.11.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.11.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.11.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.11.3s
CiscoIos Xe3.11.4s
CiscoIos Xe3.12.0as
CiscoIos Xe3.12.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.12.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.12.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.12.3s
CiscoIos Xe3.12.4s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.0as
CiscoIos Xe3.13.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.2as
CiscoIos Xe3.13.2s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.3s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.4s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.5as
CiscoIos Xe3.13.5s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.6as
CiscoIos Xe3.13.6s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.7as
CiscoIos Xe3.13.7s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.8s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.9s
CiscoIos Xe3.13.10s
CiscoIos Xe3.14.0s
CiscoIos Xe3.14.1s
CiscoIos Xe3.14.2s

Showing 50 of 329 affected configurations. See NVD for the full list.

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-20197?
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when processing specific configuration commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input in specific configuration commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The security impact rating (SIR) of this advisory has been raised to High because an attacker could gain access to the underlying operating system of the affected device and perform potentially undetected actions. Note: The attacker must have privileges to enter configuration mode on the affected device. This is usually referred to as privilege level 15.
How severe is CVE-2025-20197?
CVE-2025-20197 has a CVSS score of 8.2/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.14% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20197?
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-2025-20197?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST