CVE-2025-20138

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2025-20138: Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Vulnerability

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • Vulnerability: Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Command Injection
  • Description: A vulnerability exists in the Command Line Interface (CLI) of Cisco IOS XR Software. Insufficient validation of user-supplied arguments passed to specific CLI commands allows an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system.
  • Affected Product: Cisco IOS XR Software
  • CVE ID: CVE-2025-20138

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 8.8 (High)
  • Impact:
    • Confidentiality: Complete - The attacker can access all information on the system.
    • Integrity: Complete - The attacker can modify any information on the system.
    • Availability: Complete - The attacker can completely disrupt or disable the system.
  • Severity Level: High - This vulnerability poses a significant risk to affected devices due to the potential for complete system compromise.

3. Known Exploit Information:

  • Exploitability: An attacker with a low-privileged account can exploit this vulnerability by using crafted commands at the prompt.
  • Mechanism: The vulnerability is triggered by insufficient validation of user arguments passed to specific CLI commands within Cisco IOS XR. By crafting malicious input to these commands, an attacker can inject arbitrary commands that are then executed with root privileges.
  • Access Vector: Local - Attackers need local access to the affected system (e.g., via SSH, console)
  • Authentication: Authenticated - Attackers need a valid low-privileged account on the system.

4. Remediation Strategy:

  • Primary Mitigation: Upgrade to a patched version of Cisco IOS XR Software as soon as a fix is available. Cisco typically releases security advisories and software updates to address vulnerabilities like this. Refer to the official Cisco security advisory for CVE-2025-20138 (once released) for specific affected versions and corresponding fixes.

Steps: 1. Identify all devices running Cisco IOS XR Software within your network. 2. Determine the specific IOS XR version running on each device. 3. Consult the Cisco security advisory for CVE-2025-20138 to identify affected versions and the minimum fixed software version. 4. Download the appropriate fixed software version for each device from Cisco’s website. 5. Schedule maintenance windows to perform the software upgrades. Follow Cisco’s recommended upgrade procedures for IOS XR software. 6. After the upgrade, verify the software version to confirm the fix has been applied successfully. 7. Monitor the devices after the upgrade to ensure stability and no unexpected behavior.

5. Mitigation Strategy (If Upgrade is Not Immediately Possible):

If an immediate upgrade to a patched version is not possible, consider the following mitigating controls to reduce the risk:

  • Restrict CLI Access: Limit access to the CLI to only authorized personnel. Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Review and restrict the privileges granted to user accounts. Ensure users only have the minimum necessary privileges to perform their job functions. Avoid granting unnecessary elevated privileges.
  • Monitor System Logs: Implement robust logging and monitoring of CLI activity to detect suspicious or malicious command execution. Pay close attention to commands executed by low-privileged users.
  • Network Segmentation: Segment your network to limit the potential impact of a successful exploit. If a device is compromised, segmentation can help prevent the attacker from moving laterally to other systems on the network.
  • Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deploy and configure IDS/IPS solutions to detect and potentially block malicious CLI commands. Develop custom signatures if necessary.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses in your network configuration.

6. Long-Term Security Practices:

  • Maintain Up-to-Date Inventory: Keep a comprehensive inventory of all network devices and their software versions.
  • Regular Patching: Implement a regular patching schedule to ensure that all devices are running the latest security updates.
  • Security Awareness Training: Conduct regular security awareness training for employees to educate them about potential threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor the network for suspicious activity and respond promptly to any security incidents.
  • Configuration Management: Implement a configuration management system to track changes to device configurations and ensure consistency across the network.

Important Note: This remediation/mitigation strategy is based on the information provided and best practices. Always refer to official Cisco security advisories and documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding this vulnerability and recommended actions. After Cisco releases the offical security advisory, update this document with specific affected versions and fixed versions.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-12 16:15:21
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-12 16:15:21

More Details

CVE-2025-20138