Auth bypass in Cisco iOS Xe Software
CVE-2025-20214
A vulnerability in the Network Configuration Access Control Module (NACM) of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to obtain unauthorized read access to configuration or operational data. This vulnerability exists because a subtle change in inner API call behavior causes results to be filtered incorrectly. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using either NETCONF, RESTCONF, or gRPC Network Management Interface (gNMI) protocols and query data on paths that may have been denied by the NACM configuration. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access data that should have been restricted according to the NACM configuration. Note: This vulnerability requires that the attacker obtain the credentials from a valid user with privileges lower than 15, and that NACM was configured to provide restricted read access for that user.
Vulnerability class: IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)
EPSS: 0.003 (22.3th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 4.3 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N.
Affected products
- Cisco Ios Xe Software — versions 17.11.1, 17.11.1a, 17.12.1
- Cisco Ios_xe — versions 17.11.1, 17.11.1a, 17.11.99sw
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- psirt@cisco.com (Vendor Advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-20214?
- CVE-2025-20214 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco iOS Xe Software, classified under Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key. CVSS score: 4.3/10. Published 2025-05-07.
- How severe is CVE-2025-20214?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 4.3 out of 10.