CVE-2025-20113
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to elevate privileges to Administrator level for limited functions in Cisco Unified Intelligence Center. Attackers can exploit insufficient server-side validation of user parameters to access, modify, or delete data beyond their intended permissions. Organizations running affected Cisco Unified Intelligence Center versions are impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Unified Intelligence Center
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain administrative access to sensitive system data, potentially compromising the entire intelligence center and connected systems.
Likely Case
Privileged users or attackers with valid credentials escalate privileges to access restricted data and modify system configurations.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, exploitation would be detected and contained before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires crafting specific API/HTTP requests; authentication needed but no special privileges mentioned
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Cisco advisory for specific fixed versions
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cuis-priv-esc-3Pk96SU4
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions. 2. Download and apply recommended patches. 3. Restart affected services. 4. Verify patch application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict API Access
allLimit API access to trusted IP addresses and implement strict input validation
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to Cisco Unified Intelligence Center API endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate Cisco Unified Intelligence Center from critical systems
- Enhance monitoring of API requests and privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cisco Unified Intelligence Center version against advisory; monitor for unusual privilege escalation attemptsCheck Version:
Check Cisco Unified Intelligence Center administration interface for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch version matches Cisco's fixed release; test API validation functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual API requests with privilege escalation parameters
- Multiple failed privilege escalation attempts followed by success
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious API calls to privilege-related endpoints
- Unusual traffic patterns to administrative interfaces
SIEM Query:
Search for API requests containing privilege escalation parameters or unusual user privilege changes