CVERadar
CRITICAL · CVSS 3.1 10CISA KEV · added 2025-07-28Public PoCEPSS 97.60% (p100)Threat level 94

CVE-2025-20281: Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability

Cisco · Identity Services Engine · NVD published 2025-06-25 · posted 2025-07-28 · last modified 2026-06-17

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.

WeaknessCWE-74
CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H (source: [email protected])
CISA due date2025-08-18 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone)
ATT&CK tacticsExecution

Exploitation evidence

First exploit evidence seen: 2025-06-27 (earliest date across the sources below).

Exploited in the wild

  • CISA KEV: listed since 2025-07-28. Source

Public exploit code

GitHub proof-of-concept repositories

3 public repositories from 3 accounts, first seen 2025-06-27. Most starred: abrewer251/CVE-2025-20281-2-Cisco-ISE-RCE (21 stars), view repository.

Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.

Sources: CISA KEV · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.

Defend the Chain

The attack chain for CVE-2025-20281 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.

Threat level 94/100
Defender level 1 · 0 XP
Chain links broken: 0/2

Reconnaissance

Resource Development

Initial Access

Execution

Persistence

Privilege Escalation

Stealth

Defense Impairment

Credential Access

Discovery

Lateral Movement

Collection

Command and Control

Exfiltration

Impact

Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.

Defend against T1106 Native API CTID: exploitation technique

This vulnerability, present in the API in Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC, allows for an attacker to use maliciously crafted API requests to a vulnerable device. If exploited, the attacker can gain the ability to execute arbitrary code at the root level.

How to fix it

CISA 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. (source: CISA KEV)

Fixed versions

NVD does not list a fixed version for this CVE. Use the vendor advisory below.

Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.

Vendor advisories and patches

MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain

  • M1038 Execution Prevention (for T1106, T1059) : Identify and block potentially malicious software executed that may be executed through this technique by using application control tools, like Windows Defender Application Control, AppLocker, or Software Restriction Policies where appropriate.
  • M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint (for T1106, T1059) : On Windows 10, enable Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to prevent Office VBA macros from calling Win32 APIs.
  • M1033 Limit Software Installation (for T1059) : Prevent user installation of unrequired command and scripting interpreters.
  • M1045 Code Signing (for T1059) : Where possible, only permit execution of signed scripts.
  • M1042 Disable or Remove Feature or Program (for T1059) : Disable or remove any unnecessary or unused shells or interpreters.
  • M1049 Antivirus/Antimalware (for T1059) : Anti-virus can be used to automatically quarantine suspicious files.
  • M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1059) : When PowerShell is necessary, consider restricting PowerShell execution policy to administrators. Be aware that there are methods of bypassing the PowerShell execution policy, depending on environment configuration. PowerShell JEA (Just Enough Administration) may also be used to sandbox administration and limit what c
  • M1047 Audit (for T1059) : Inventory systems for unauthorized command and scripting interpreter installations.
  • M1021 Restrict Web-Based Content (for T1059) : Script blocking extensions can help prevent the execution of scripts and HTA files that may commonly be used during the exploitation process. For malicious code served up through ads, adblockers can help prevent that code from executing in the first place.

Detection Generic guidance

  • Execution: Watch for the service process spawning shells or script interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell, sh, bash, python) via EDR process-tree rules.

Response checklist Generic guidance

  1. Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
  2. Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
  3. Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
  4. Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.

Sources