What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-20188?

CVE-2025-20188 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 3.9%.

Which versions of Ios Xe are affected by CVE-2025-20188?

CVE-2025-20188 presents critical security risk, a hard-coded credentials vulnerability rated CVSS 10.0.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2025-20188?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2025-20188. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 3.9%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2025-20188?

Within 24 hours: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches immediately. Audit authentication configurations and rotate any potentially compromised credentials.

Ios Xe CVE-2025-20188

CRITICAL

Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798)

2025-05-07 psirt@cisco.com

Cisco Apple Authentication Bypass File Upload Path Traversal Ios Xe

10.0

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

10.0 CRITICAL

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

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 28, 2026 - 18:40 vuln.today

PoC Detected

Jun 23, 2025 - 15:15 vuln.today

Public exploit code

CVE Published

May 07, 2025 - 18:15 nvd

CRITICAL 10.0

DescriptionCVE.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.

AnalysisAI

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.

Technical ContextAI

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.

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.