CVE-2025-20314
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-09-24

Last updated on: 2025-10-15

Assigner: Cisco Systems, Inc.

Description
A vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with level-15 privileges or an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to an affected device to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of software packages. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a crafted file into a specific location on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute persistent code on the underlying operating system. Because this vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass a major security feature of a device, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-09-24
Last Modified
2025-10-15
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2025-09-24
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
cisco ios_xe *
cisco ios_xe 17.8.1
cisco ios_xe 17.7.1
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-232 The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when a value is not defined or supported for the associated parameter, field, or argument name.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software allows an attacker with either authenticated local access at level-15 privileges or unauthenticated physical access to execute persistent code at boot time by placing a crafted file in a specific location. This exploits improper validation of software packages and breaks the device's chain of trust.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

The vulnerability can allow an attacker to execute persistent malicious code on the device's operating system, potentially leading to full compromise of the device, unauthorized control, and disruption of its normal operation.


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