CVE-2025-20292
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated local attackers on Cisco NX-OS devices to execute command injection attacks on the underlying operating system. Attackers can read and write files with non-root user privileges by crafting malicious input to affected CLI commands. Only users with valid credentials on affected devices are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco NX-OS Software
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attacker gains persistent access, exfiltrates sensitive configuration data, or modifies system files to maintain persistence or disrupt operations.
Likely Case
Attacker reads sensitive configuration files, modifies logs to hide activity, or writes malicious scripts for future execution.
If Mitigated
Limited file access based on non-root user permissions, potentially only affecting non-critical files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access and knowledge of affected CLI commands. No public exploit code known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to Cisco advisory for fixed versions
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nxos-cmdinj-qhNze5Ss
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions. 2. Download and apply appropriate fixed software version. 3. Verify patch installation without requiring reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict CLI Access
allLimit CLI access to trusted administrators only using role-based access control
configure terminal
username <name> role network-admin
end
Input Validation
allImplement additional input validation for CLI commands if custom scripts are used
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for suspicious CLI activity
- Segment network to limit potential lateral movement from compromised devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check NX-OS version against affected versions in Cisco advisoryCheck Version:
show version | include nxosVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches fixed version from Cisco advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual CLI command patterns
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
- Commands with unusual arguments or special characters
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from network devices
- Unexpected file transfers from device management interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="nxos_logs" AND (command="*;*" OR command="*|*" OR command="*`*" OR command="*$(*")