RCE in Cisco Nx-Os Software
CVE-2025-20161
A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges. Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.
Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)
EPSS: 0.005 (39.2th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 5.1 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N.
Affected products
- Cisco Nx-os Software — versions 9.2(3), 7.0(3)I5(2), 6.0(2)A8(7a)
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-20161?
- CVE-2025-20161 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Nx-Os Software, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 5.1/10. Published 2025-02-26.
- How severe is CVE-2025-20161?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.1 out of 10.