10

CVE-2025-20188: cisco cisco ios xe software Use of Hard-coded Credentials

CVSS: 10.0v3.1CriticalAnalyzed
Published 07-05-2025Last modified 06-06-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-20188 is a critical (CVSS 10.0) Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability in cisco cisco ios xe software. EPSS estimates a 27.49% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Overall risk
90/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
10.0/10
010
Critical · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
27.49%
0%100%
High · +0.35 pp in 30 days
KEVNot listedIn no KEV catalog
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits1reference

Timeline

  1. 07-05-2025
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 06-06-2025
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

CVSS metrics

2 scores · 2 sources · 1 version

EPSS trend

Probability

27.49%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

98%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

+0.35 pp

From 27.14% on 21-09-2026

21-09-202621-10-2026
EPSS score
27.49%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs

Not in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.

Public exploits

1 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (horizon3.ai)

    Maturity: unknown

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Cisco2 products
  • cisco ios xe software17.11.1 | 17.12.1 | 17.12.2 | 17.12.3 | 17.13.1 | 17.14.1 | 17.11.99SW
  • ios_xe17.11.1 | 17.11.99sw | 17.12.1 | 17.12.2 | 17.12.3 | 17.13.1 | 17.14.1

1 vendor · 2 products

References

2 links