CVE-2025-20178
MediumWhat is CVE-2025-20178?
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Network Analytics could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with valid administrative credentials to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient integrity checks within device backup files. An attacker with valid administrative credentials could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious backup file and restoring it to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain shell access on the underlying operating system with the privileges of root.
CVSS Vector Breakdown
CVSS 3.1Requires local access — attacker must be logged in or have physical access to the device.
No special conditions required. Exploit can be performed reliably and repeatedly.
Administrative or root-level privileges required to exploit.
No user interaction required. Exploit runs without any victim action.
Exploiting the vulnerability only affects the vulnerable component itself.
Complete loss of confidentiality. All data on the component may be exposed.
Complete loss of integrity. Attacker can modify any file or data on the component.
No availability impact. Service remains fully operational.
Known Affected Devices
FAQ
CVE-2025-20178 has a CVSS score of 6.0/10, rated as Medium. Review the affected products list and apply vendor patches.
CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) rates vulnerability severity from 0.0 to 10.0. CVE-2025-20178 scores 6.0/10 (Medium). Scores 9.0–10.0 are Critical, 7.0–8.9 are High, 4.0–6.9 are Medium, and below 4.0 are Low.
The list of devices confirmed to be affected by CVE-2025-20178 is shown in the "Affected Devices" section above. Check your firmware version against the vendor security advisory and apply the latest patch.
Apply the latest firmware or software update from the vendor. Check the References section above for official advisories and patch notes. If no patch is available, consider disabling the affected feature or isolating the device from untrusted networks.