Improper input validation in Cisco iOS Xe Software
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.
Vulnerability class: Drupalgeddon 2 (CVE-2018-7600)
Published · last modified .
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 6.7 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N.
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.002 (5.8th percentile), scored .
Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 6th percentile — 5.8% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.002 · newest: 0.002 · change: +0.000
Affected products
- Cisco iOS Xe Software — versions 3.7.0S, 3.7.1S, 3.7.2S
- Cisco iOS Xe — versions 3.7.0bs, 3.7.0s, 3.7.1as
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-20197?
- CVE-2025-20197 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco iOS Xe Software, classified under Improper Input Validation. CVSS score: 6.7/10. Published 2025-05-07.
- How severe is CVE-2025-20197?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 6.7 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2025-20197 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.