CVE-2025-20190
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software allows authenticated lobby ambassador users to delete arbitrary user accounts, including administrative accounts, by sending crafted HTTP requests. Only systems with lobby ambassador accounts configured are affected, and exploitation requires valid credentials for such an account.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software
📦 What is this software?
Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →Ios Xe by Cisco
Cisco IOS XE is Cisco's modern network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, and wireless controllers deployed across corporate networks, data centers, branch offices, and service provider infrastructure worldwide. As the evolution of Cisco IOS, IOS XE provides a Linux-based modu...
Learn more about Ios Xe →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete loss of administrative access through deletion of all user accounts, potentially requiring physical console access to restore device functionality.
Likely Case
Targeted deletion of specific administrative accounts leading to service disruption and potential privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if lobby ambassador accounts are not configured or have minimal privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires lobby ambassador credentials and involves sending crafted HTTP requests to the API.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to Cisco advisory for specific fixed versions
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ewlc-user-del-hQxMpUDj
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions. 2. Upgrade to fixed version. 3. Restart affected devices.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable lobby ambassador accounts
allRemove or disable lobby ambassador user accounts if not required
no username [lobby_ambassador_username]
Restrict network access
allLimit network access to the web interface to trusted networks only
access-list [ACL_NUMBER] permit [TRUSTED_NETWORK]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable all lobby ambassador accounts immediately
- Implement strict network segmentation to limit access to wireless controller management interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if lobby ambassador accounts exist: 'show running-config | include username' and verify IOS XE version against advisoryCheck Version:
show version | include IOS XEVerify Fix Applied:
Verify upgraded to fixed version and lobby ambassador accounts are removed or properly restricted📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP DELETE requests to user management API from lobby ambassador accounts
- User account deletion events in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP traffic patterns to wireless controller management interface
SIEM Query:
source="cisco_wlc" AND (event_type="user_deleted" OR http_method="DELETE") AND user_role="lobby_ambassador"