Critical severity · published Jun 25, 2025
CVE-2025-20281
Cisco ISE API Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
In wildKEV
10.0
CVSS
97.6%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)97.6% · higher than 100% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed Jul 28, 2025
Federal remediation dueAug 18, 2025
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
CI
Cisco Identity Services Engine Software · Cisco
3.3.0; 3.3 Patch 2; 3.3 Patch 1; 3.3 Patch 3; 3.4.0; 3.3 Patch 4; +3 more · source: vendor
IS
Identity Services Engine · Cisco
3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; +3 more · source: NVD, KEV
IS
Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector · Cisco
3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.3.0; +3 more · source: NVD
Affected product
CI
Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Cisco
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20281
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-20281
CISA KEV catalogue
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-unauth-rce-ZAd2GnJ6
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