CVE-2025-20188

Published May 7, 2025

Last updated 7 days ago

Cisco IOS XE

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2025-20188 is a vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs). It could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. The vulnerability exists because 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 image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device for a successful exploit.

Description: A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature 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 image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Note: For exploitation to be successful, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device. It is not enabled by default.
Source: psirt@cisco.com
NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

Risk scores

CVSS 3.1

Type: Primary
Base score: 10
Impact score: 6
Exploitability score: 3.9
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: CRITICAL

Weaknesses

psirt@cisco.com: CWE-798

Hype score: Not currently trending

References