Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2025-20281
The short answer
CVE-2025-20281 affects Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software and is rated critical (CVSS 10.0). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-07-28: attackers are using it, so patch it first.
What it is
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.
Weakness: CWE-74.
Severity
10.0 critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Jul 28, 2025
Federal due date Aug 18, 2025
EPSS, next 30 days
98%
Higher than 100% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected products
Cisco Identity Services Engine Software. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-unauth-rce-ZAd2GnJ6 Vendor Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-20281 US Government Resource
- www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2025/7/24/cve-2025-20281-cisco-ise-api-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability ExploitThird Party Advisory
Questions
Is CVE-2025-20281 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2025-20281 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-07-28, with a federal remediation due date of 2025-08-18.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20281?
CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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