CVE-2025-20348
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated low-privileged attackers to bypass authorization controls on REST API endpoints in Cisco Nexus Dashboard and NDFC. Attackers can view sensitive configuration data, upload files, and perform limited administrative functions. Organizations using affected Cisco network management products are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attacker gains administrative access to modify system configurations, upload malicious files, and potentially disrupt network management operations.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data (HTTP Proxy, NTP settings) and ability to upload/modify files on the management system.
If Mitigated
Proper access controls prevent exploitation, limiting attackers to their authorized privilege levels only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access and crafted API requests to specific endpoints
🛠️ 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-nshs-urapi-gJuBVFpu
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions 2. Apply recommended patches/updates 3. Verify authorization controls are properly implemented
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict API Access
allImplement network access controls to limit REST API access to trusted sources only
Review User Privileges
allAudit and minimize low-privileged user accounts with API access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate affected systems
- Enable detailed API access logging and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current software version against Cisco advisory affected versions listCheck Version:
show version (Cisco CLI command)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches or exceeds fixed versions in advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized API requests to sensitive endpoints
- File upload/modification activities by low-privileged users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual REST API traffic patterns
- Requests to administrative endpoints from non-admin accounts
SIEM Query:
source="cisco-nexus" AND (event_type="api_access" AND user_privilege="low" AND endpoint="sensitive")