Identity Services Engine
CVE-2025-20282: Cisco ISE API Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
A vulnerability in an internal API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected device and then execute those files on the underlying operating system as root.
Published
Automatic summary from the vendor's CVE record. We haven't written a full analysis of this vulnerability yet.
Affected and fixed versions
| Product / branch | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Cisco Identity Services Engine Software 3.4 | See the advisory |
| Cisco Identity Services Engine Software 3.4 Patch 1 | See the advisory |
Always confirm against the vendor advisory, which lists every fixed hotfix.
What it is
A vulnerability in an internal API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected device and then execute those files on the underlying operating system as root.
This vulnerability is due a lack of file validation checks that would prevent uploaded files from being placed in privileged directories on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted file to the affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to store malicious files on the affected system and then execute arbitrary code or obtain root privileges on the system.
Exploitation
The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of this vulnerability.
Sources
KEV status, EPSS score and vendor data refreshed automatically, last on 11 Oct 2026.