CVE-2025-20155 Details
Description
A vulnerability in the bootstrap loading of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to write arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of the bootstrap file that is read by the system software when a device is first deployed in SD-WAN mode or when an administrator configures SD-Routing on the device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a bootstrap file generated by Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, loading it into the device flash, and then either reloading the device in a green field deployment in SD-WAN mode or configuring the device with SD-Routing. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary file writes to the underlying operating system.
A vulnerability exists in the bootstrap loading process of Cisco IOS XE Software, allowing authenticated, local attackers to write arbitrary files to the system. This issue arises from inadequate input validation of the bootstrap file, which is read when a device is deployed in SD-WAN mode or configured with SD-Routing. Exploitation involves modifying a bootstrap file created by Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, uploading it to the device's flash memory, and then either rebooting the device in a green field deployment or setting it up with SD-Routing. Successful exploitation could enable arbitrary file writes to the underlying operating system.
Cisco has released software updates to address this vulnerability. For guidance on determining exposure and upgrading, consult the Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication from May 2025.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed May 8, 2025References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-bootstrap-KfgxYgdh | [email protected] | Vendor Advisory |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-1287 | Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| cisco ios xe | 17.9.4 17.9.4a 17.9.5 17.9.5a 17.9.5b 17.9.5e 17.9.5f 17.9.6 17.9.6a 17.11.99sw 17.12.1 17.12.1a 17.12.1w 17.12.1x 17.12.1y 17.12.1z 17.12.1z1 17.12.2 17.12.2a 17.12.3 17.12.3a 17.12.4 17.12.4a 17.12.4b 17.13.1 17.13.1a 17.14.1 17.14.1a |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
4 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jul 31, 2025 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| May 7, 2025 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |