How to fix CVE-2025-20189?

Within 30 days: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches as part of regular patch cycle. Monitor vendor channels for patch availability.

Is Ios Xe affected by CVE-2025-20189?

CVE-2025-20189 presents moderate security risk rated CVSS 7.4. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

CVE-2025-20189

HIGH

2025-05-07 [email protected]

7.4

CVSS 3.1

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector

Adjacent

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 28, 2026 - 18:40 vuln.today

CVE Published

May 07, 2025 - 18:15 nvd

HIGH 7.4

Description

A vulnerability in the Cisco Express Forwarding functionality of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco ASR 903 Aggregation Services Routers with Route Switch Processor 3 (RSP3C) could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability is due to improper memory management when Cisco IOS XE Software is processing Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) messages. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted ARP messages at a high rate over a period of time to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to exhaust system resources, which eventually triggers a reload of the active route switch processor (RSP). If a redundant RSP is not present, the router reloads.

Analysis

A vulnerability in the Cisco Express Forwarding functionality of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco ASR 903 Aggregation Services Routers with Route Switch Processor 3 (RSP3C) could allow an. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.

Technical Context

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-762. A vulnerability in the Cisco Express Forwarding functionality of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco ASR 903 Aggregation Services Routers with Route Switch Processor 3 (RSP3C) could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability is due to improper memory management when Cisco IOS XE Software is processing Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) messages. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted ARP messages at a high rate over a period of time to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to exhaust system resources, which eventually triggers a reload of the active route switch processor (RSP). If a redundant RSP is not present, the router reloads. Affected products include: Cisco Ios Xe.

Affected Products

Cisco Ios Xe.

Remediation

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +0.1

CVSS: +37

POC: 0

CVE-2025-20189 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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CVE-2025-20189

CVSS Vector

Lifecycle Timeline

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Description

Analysis

Technical Context

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CVE-2025-20189

CVSS Vector

Lifecycle Timeline

Tags

Description

Analysis

Technical Context

Affected Products

Remediation

Priority Score

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External POC / Exploit Code