Cisco has recently released software updates to mitigate a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20188 in its IOS XE Wireless Controller software. This flaw, assigned a maximum severity score of 10.0 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), could allow unauthenticated, remote attackers to upload arbitrary files to affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Understanding CVE-2025-20188
The vulnerability arises from a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) present in the affected systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted HTTPS requests to the Access Point (AP) image download interface. Successful exploitation enables attackers to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
Affected Products
The following Cisco products are susceptible to this vulnerability if they are running a vulnerable software release and have the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature enabled:
– Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud
– Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches
– Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
– Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst APs
Mitigation Measures
Cisco strongly recommends that users update their devices to the latest software versions to address this vulnerability. For those unable to immediately apply the updates, disabling the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature serves as a temporary mitigation. With this feature disabled, AP image downloads will revert to using the CAPWAP method, which does not impact the AP client state.
Discovery and Reporting
The vulnerability was discovered during internal security testing by X.B. of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG). As of now, there is no evidence to suggest that this vulnerability has been exploited in the wild.
Broader Implications
This incident underscores the critical importance of proactive vulnerability management and the need for organizations to stay vigilant about software updates and security patches. Regularly updating network infrastructure and disabling unnecessary features can significantly reduce the attack surface and enhance overall security posture.
Conclusion
Cisco’s prompt response to CVE-2025-20188 highlights the company’s commitment to maintaining the security of its products. Organizations utilizing the affected Cisco products should prioritize applying the recommended updates or mitigations to safeguard their systems against potential exploitation.
