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Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability – Source:sec.cloudapps.cisco.com

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Source: sec.cloudapps.cisco.com – Author: .

Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

High

CVE-2025-20138

CWE-78

Summary

  • A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

    This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user arguments that are passed to specific CLI commands. An attacker with a low-privileged account could exploit this vulnerability by using crafted commands at the prompt. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root and execute arbitrary commands.

    Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

    This advisory is available at the following link:
    https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxr-priv-esc-GFQjxvOF

    This advisory is part of the March 2025 release of the Cisco IOS XR Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: March 2025 Semiannual Cisco IOS XR Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.

Affected Products

  • This vulnerability affects Cisco IOS XR 64-bit Software, regardless of device configuration.

    For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.

    Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

    Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:

    • IOS Software
    • IOS XE Software
    • IOS XR 32-Bit Software
    • NX-OS Software

Workarounds

  • There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Fixed Software

  • Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerabilities described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.

    Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
    https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html

    Additionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.

    The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.

    When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

    In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.

    Customers Without Service Contracts

    Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html

    Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.

    Fixed Releases

    In the following table, the left column lists Cisco software releases. The right column indicates whether a release is affected by the vulnerability that is described in this advisory and the first release that includes the fix for this vulnerability. Customers are advised to upgrade to an appropriate fixed software release as indicated in this section.

    Cisco IOS XR Software Release First Fixed Release
    24.1 and earlier Migrate to a fixed release.
    24.2 24.2.21 (future release)
    24.3 Migrate to a fixed release.
    24.4 Not affected.

    SMUs are also available to address this vulnerability. Customers who require SMUs for platforms or releases that are not available are advised to contact their support organization. For more information on finding which SMUs may have been published for this vulnerability, see the Download section of Understand Cisco IOS XR Software Maintenance Updates (SMUs).

    Note: The SMU for Cisco bug ID CSCwn89996 includes the fixes for CSCwj33398 and CSCwm85686.

    The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

  • The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.

Source

  • Cisco would like to thank Francesco Caserta and Alessandro Ruggieri of the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) for reporting this vulnerability.

Cisco Security Vulnerability Policy

  • To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.

Related to This Advisory

URL

Revision History

  • Version Description Section Status Date
    1.0 Initial public release. Final 2025-MAR-12

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Original Post url: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxr-priv-esc-GFQjxvOF?vs_f=Cisco%20Security%20Advisory%26vs_cat=Security%20Intelligence%26vs_type=RSS%26vs_p=Cisco%20IOS%20XR%20Software%20CLI%20Privilege%20Escalation%20Vulnerability%26vs_k=1

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