CVE-2025-20281Cisco ISE API Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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.
Overview
Severity
| Score | Severity | Version | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | CRITICAL | 3.1cisco (CNA) | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H |
CISA required action
⚡ Known exploited · remediation 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.
Details
- CVE ID
- CVE-2025-20281
- Status
- Analyzed
- Assigner (CNA)
- cisco
- Published
- Jun 25, 2025
- Last modified
- 2026-06-17 08:41 UTC
- Weaknesses
- CWE-74 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Products
As published by the CNA in the CVE record.
CiscoCisco Identity Services Engine Software9 version ranges
- 3.3.0
- 3.3 Patch 2
- 3.3 Patch 1
- 3.3 Patch 3
- 3.4.0
- 3.3 Patch 4
- 3.4 Patch 1
- 3.3 Patch 5
- 3.3 Patch 6
References
- 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