Cisco has disclosed a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2025-20138) in its IOS XR Software. This vulnerability enables authenticated local attackers to execute arbitrary commands as the root user on affected devices.
The flaw, with a CVSS score of 8.8, impacts Cisco’s 64-bit IOS XR Software across all configurations, posing significant risks to network integrity.
The vulnerability originates from insufficient input validation in specific CLI commands, allowing attackers with low-privileged accounts to craft malicious arguments and gain full root access.
Exploitation could enable unauthorized command execution, data manipulation, or device destabilization. Cisco confirmed no workarounds exist, emphasizing immediate patching as the only mitigation.
| Risk Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Products | Cisco IOS XR 64-bit Software (all versions until fixed releases) |
| Impact | Full root-level command execution |
| Exploit Prerequisites | Local access with valid low-privileged credentials |
| CVSS 3.1 Score | 8.8 (High) |
Mitigations
Vulnerable Products:
- All devices running Cisco IOS XR 64-bit Software.
- Not Affected: IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR 32-bit, and NX-OS Software.
Fixed Releases:
Cisco has issued updates for multiple IOS XR versions, including:
- 24.2.21 (future release for 24.2 branch)
- Migrate earlier releases (24.1, 24.3) to patched versions.
If customers lack service contracts, they are advised to upgrade via standard channels or request fixes through Cisco’s Technical Assistance Center (TAC).
This vulnerability highlights the persistent risks of privilege escalation in network infrastructure. While exploitation requires local access, compromised credentials or insider threats could lead to:
- Network compromise: Attackers may exfiltrate sensitive data or disrupt operations.
- Persistence: Malicious code injection could survive reboots.
Cisco’s advisory underscores the urgency of updates, noting no evidence of active exploitation. However, delayed patching increases exposure to potential attacks.
- Audit user access controls to minimize insider risks.
- Monitor for unusual CLI activity.
- Apply patches immediately, prioritizing devices exposed to untrusted users.
This vulnerability underscores the critical need for rigorous access controls and proactive patch management in network environments. Cisco users must swiftly mitigate risks and safeguard infrastructure against escalating threats.
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