CVE-2025-20281: Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-20281 is a critical (CVSS 10.0) Injection vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 28-07-2025. EPSS estimates a 97.60% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 25-06-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 28-07-2025
   Added to CISA KEVCisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability
3. 18-08-2025
   CISA remediation dueApply mitigations per vendor instructions.
4. 26-02-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

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.

• CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.