CVE-2025-20281
CRITICALCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
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.
How to fix
Actively exploited, no published fix found yet
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.
Federal remediation due: 2025-08-18
Mitigation guidance may be in the linked vendor advisories in the References section below.
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CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability
Cisco Identity Services Engine contains an injection vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution and obtaining root privileges on an affected device.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Remediation due: 2025-08-18
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-74 (Injection) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2013-2251 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2023-22527 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2019-2725 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2022-46169 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2022-35914 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | - |
| CVE-2019-17558 | High | 7.5 | 99% | KEV | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2025-20281?
No published fix for CVE-2025-20281 has been found yet. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list; federal agencies must remediate by 2025-08-18. Apply the vendor's mitigations per CISA's guidance.
Is CVE-2025-20281 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2025-20281 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2025-08-18. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.
How severe is CVE-2025-20281?
CVE-2025-20281 has a CVSS v3 base score of 10.0, rated critical. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-10-28.