Ios Xe
CVE-2025-20188
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Credential externalization
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Persistence, Credential Access The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 10.0 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 3.92%. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could gain access using credentials embedded in source code by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 28, 2026
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. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
RemediationAI
No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Remove hard-coded credentials, use environment variables or secrets management, rotate exposed credentials immediately.
Affects your stack
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Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798), which allows attackers to gain access using credentials embedded in source code. 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. Affected products include: Cisco Ios Xe.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
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.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2025-20188 presents critical security risk, a hard-coded credentials vulnerability rated CVSS 10.0. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or commands on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation. Organizations should apply vendor updates immediately when available and implement compensating controls in the interim.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls; (2) Enable MFA where possible; (3) Monitor authentication logs for anomalous access.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.
Malicious file upload attacks exploit insufficient validation when web applications accept user-provided files.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB