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CVE-2025-20138

Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Published: Mar 12, 2025Updated: Jul 31, 2025 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-78
NVD MITRE
8.8CVSSHIGH
EPSS Score
0.2%
Top 89.2%
CISA KEV
Not in KEV
Exploits
0 Known
Remediation
Patch Available

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user arguments that are passed to specific CLI commands. An attacker with a low-privileged account could exploit this vulnerability by using crafted commands at the prompt. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root and execute arbitrary commands.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:CC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:CScope
Changed
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
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Weaknesses

CWE-78

Affected Products

ios xrcisco
EmbeddedNetwork Device
Networking Infrastructure / router-switch
Cisco IOS XR SoftwareCisco
On-premNetwork Device
Networking Infrastructure / router-switch
Cisco IOS XRCisco Systems Inc.
On-premNetwork Device
Networking Infrastructure / router-switch
ciscocommercialUSNetworking Infrastructureaka cisco systems, cisco systems inc.
cisco systems inc.commercialUSNetworking Infrastructureaka cisco systems, cisco

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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Exploitability

0 exploit sources identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details
Official Patch Available

MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique
Execution
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://blog.apnic.net/2024/09/02/crafting-endless-as-paths-in-bgp/
blog.apnic.net
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxr-priv-esc-GFQjxvOF
sec.cloudapps.cisco.com

Timeline

Published
Mar 12, 2025
Last Updated
Jul 31, 2025

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