CVE-2025-20332
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Cisco ISE allows authenticated attackers with read-only administrator credentials to modify configuration descriptions through crafted HTTP requests. It affects Cisco ISE systems with the web-based management interface exposed. The issue stems from insufficient server-side permission validation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
⚠️ 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
Attackers could modify configuration descriptions to mislead administrators, potentially facilitating further attacks or obscuring malicious changes.
Likely Case
Limited configuration tampering affecting file descriptions on specific pages, causing administrative confusion or minor operational disruption.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is minimal as changes are limited to descriptions rather than critical configuration.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access with read-only admin credentials and knowledge of specific HTTP requests
🛠️ 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-ise_xss_acc_cont-YsR4uT4U
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions. 2. Apply recommended patches or upgrades. 3. Verify patch installation through version check.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Administrative Access
allLimit access to ISE web management interface to trusted networks and users only
Strengthen Credential Management
allImplement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and regular credential rotation for admin accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate ISE management interface
- Enhance monitoring for unusual configuration changes and HTTP requests
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cisco ISE version against advisory; systems with vulnerable versions and web interface exposed are at riskCheck Version:
show version (in ISE CLI) or check via web interfaceVerify Fix Applied:
Verify ISE version is updated to patched version listed in Cisco advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP POST/PUT requests to configuration endpoints
- Configuration description changes from read-only accounts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP traffic to ISE management interface with unusual patterns
SIEM Query:
source="ISE" AND (event_type="config_change" OR http_method="POST") AND user_role="read-only"