CVE-2025-20281
Description
A vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system as root. The attacker does not require any valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain root privileges on an affected device.
CVSS Details
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Threat Intelligence
- Added
- Jul 28, 2025
- Due
- Aug 18, 2025
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Weaknesses 1
Affected Products 18
| Vendor | Product | Version | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.4.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine | 3.4.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.3.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.4.0 | any |
| cisco | identity_services_engine_passive_identity_connector | 3.4.0 | any |
References 3
- sec.cloudapps.cisco.com https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-unauth-rce-ZAd2GnJ6
- cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-20281
- zerodayinitiative.com https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2025/7/24/cve-2025-20281-cisco-ise-api-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability
Remediation
No remediation data recorded yet
Check vendor advisories and the NVD entry for patch availability.