Cisco has recently released patches to address a critical vulnerability in its Identity Services Engine (ISE) that affects cloud deployments. This flaw, identified as CVE-2025-20286 with a CVSS score of 9.9, arises from the improper generation of credentials during the deployment of ISE on cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The issue leads to the sharing of these credentials across multiple ISE deployments running the same release, potentially allowing unauthorized access to ISE instances in different cloud environments.
Understanding the Vulnerability
The core of this vulnerability lies in the credential generation process during the cloud deployment of ISE. When deploying the Primary Administration node of ISE in the cloud, the system generates credentials that are not unique to each deployment. Instead, these credentials are replicated across multiple instances of ISE that are running the same software release. This uniformity means that if an attacker gains access to the shared credentials, they could potentially access multiple ISE instances across various cloud environments.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability could have severe consequences, including:
– Unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the ISE instances.
– Execution of limited administrative operations, which could alter system behavior.
– Modification of system configurations, potentially leading to security misconfigurations.
– Disruption of services managed by the affected ISE instances, impacting network security and access controls.
Scope of the Vulnerability
It’s important to note that this vulnerability specifically affects ISE instances where the Primary Administration node is deployed in cloud environments. Deployments of ISE on-premises or in configurations where the Primary Administration node is not cloud-based are not impacted by this issue.
Availability of Exploit Code
Cisco has acknowledged the existence of public proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code targeting this vulnerability. The availability of such exploit code increases the risk of potential attacks, as it provides a blueprint for malicious actors to exploit the flaw.
Mitigation Measures
To address this critical vulnerability, Cisco has released hot fixes applicable to ISE versions 3.1 through 3.4. Organizations utilizing these versions are strongly advised to apply the relevant patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation. It’s noteworthy that ISE versions 3.0 and earlier are not affected by this vulnerability.
No Workarounds Available
Cisco has indicated that there are no workarounds for this vulnerability. Therefore, applying the provided patches is the only effective method to secure affected systems against potential exploitation.
Recommendations for Organizations
Organizations using Cisco ISE in cloud deployments should take the following steps:
1. Assess Deployment Configurations: Determine whether the Primary Administration node of ISE is deployed in a cloud environment and identify the version of ISE in use.
2. Apply Patches Promptly: If running ISE versions 3.1 to 3.4 with the Primary Administration node in the cloud, apply the appropriate hot fixes provided by Cisco without delay.
3. Monitor for Unusual Activity: Implement monitoring mechanisms to detect any unauthorized access or unusual administrative operations within ISE instances.
4. Review Access Controls: Ensure that access controls and authentication mechanisms are robust and up-to-date to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Stay Informed: Regularly check Cisco’s security advisories for updates and additional guidance on this and other vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-20286 underscores the importance of secure credential management, especially in cloud deployments. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in applying security patches and monitoring their systems to safeguard against potential threats. By promptly addressing this vulnerability, organizations can maintain the integrity and security of their network access control systems.
