// For flags

CVE-2025-20284

Cisco Identity Services Engine Authenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Severity Score

6.5
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

A vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system as root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker with valid credentials could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid high-privileged credentials.

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Cisco Identity Services Engine. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the handleStrongSwanTunnelStatus method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in deserialization of untrusted data. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the iseadminportal user.

*Credits: Kentaro Kawane of GMO Cybersecurity by Ierae
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Multiple
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
None
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2024-10-10 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-07-16 CVE Published
  • 2025-07-17 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-23 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Cisco
Search vendor "Cisco"
 Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Search vendor "Cisco" for product "Cisco Identity Services Engine Software"
 3.3.0
Search vendor "Cisco" for product "Cisco Identity Services Engine Software" and version "3.3.0"
en
Affected
Cisco
Search vendor "Cisco"
 Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Search vendor "Cisco" for product "Cisco Identity Services Engine Software"
 3.4.0
Search vendor "Cisco" for product "Cisco Identity Services Engine Software" and version "3.4.0"
en
Affected