cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rhzg9ufc
Vulnerability from csaf_cisco
Published
2025-05-07 16:00
Modified
2025-06-06 20:02
Summary
Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability
Notes
Summary
A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system.
This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.
This advisory is part of the May 2025 release of the Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: May 2025 Semiannual Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/viewErp.x?alertId=ERP-75279"].
Vulnerable Products
This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software for WLCs, regardless of device configuration.
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
For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software ["#fs"] section of this advisory.
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products ["#vp"] section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:
IOS Software
IOS XE Software running on devices that are not functioning as WLCs and not listed in the Vulnerable Products ["https://wiki.cisco.com/display/CASP/IOS+and+IOS+XE+Bundle+March+2025?src=contextnavpagetreemode#vp"] section of this advisory
IOS XR Software
Meraki products
NX-OS Software
WLC AireOS Software
Workarounds
There are two mitigations that are preferred for addressing this vulnerability for the two possible device configurations:
Impacted Features Not in Use
If the impacted features are not used, apply infrastructure access control lists (iACLs) to all interfaces and block the interface completely, as shown in the following example. This will completely mitigate the vulnerability.
wlc# show ap file-transfer https summary
Configured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any any eq 8443 20 permit ip any any
Impacted Features in Use
If the impacted features are used, to reduce the attack surface, apply iACLs to limit the AP file upload interface to the WLC to allow traffic from expected sources only. The following is an iACL example that can be included as part of the deployed iACL:
wlc# show ap file-transfer https summary
Configured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any INFRASTRUCTURE_ADDRESSES WILDCARD eq 8443 20 permit ip any any
For more guidelines and recommendations for deployment techniques for iACLs, see the white paper Protecting Your Core: Infrastructure Protection Access Control Lists ["https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/access-lists/43920-iacl.html"].
There is also a workaround that addresses this vulnerability.
Manually triggering the AP client debug bundle once, as shown in the following example, will protect all affected features that use the AP file upload interface. Note that this workaround does not persist through reload and must be done any time the device is reloaded.
! Check and pick any one client in any AP associated with this WLC
wlc# show wireless client summary Number of Clients: 1 MAC Address AP Name Type ID State Protocol Method Role ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5eef.1000.0001 AP5EEF.1000.0003 WLAN 1 Run 11n(5) None Local Number of Excluded Clients: 0 ! Manually trigger the debug bundle once wlc# debug wireless bundle client mac 0100.5eef.1000.0001 Wireless Client debug bundle add event ! Get the site-tag wlc# show ap tag summary | inc AP5EEF.1000.0003|AP Name
AP Name AP Mac Site Tag Name Policy Tag Name RF Tag Name Misconfigured Tag Source
AP5EEF.1000.0003 5eef.1000.0003 ST1 policy-tag rf-tag No Static
! Be sure to change the monitor-time to 60 so this process will take 60 seconds and not longer
wlc# debug wireless bundle client start ap-archive site-tag ST1 level debug monitor-time 60 ! Stop debug bundle after 60 seconds wlc# debug wireless bundle client stop-all collect all ! A debug bundle should be generated and the workaround was successfully executed wlc# dir bootflash:completeCDB/* 2883591 -rw- 383488 Jan 6 2025 11:18:25 +00:00 wireless_bundle_0100.5eef.1000.0001.tar 96739794944 bytes total (75825774592 bytes free)
While these workarounds and mitigations have been deployed and were proven successful in a test environment, customers should determine the applicability and effectiveness in their own environment and under their own use conditions. Customers should be aware that any workaround or mitigation that is implemented may negatively impact the functionality or performance of their network based on intrinsic customer deployment scenarios and limitations. Customers should not deploy any workarounds or mitigations before first evaluating the applicability to their own environment and any impact to such environment.
Fixed Software
Cisco has released free software updates ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#ssu"] that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.
Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html ["https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html"]
Additionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.
The Cisco Support and Downloads page ["https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/index.html"] on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.
When considering software upgrades ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#fixes"], customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page ["https://www.cisco.com/go/psirt"], to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
Customers Without Service Contracts
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html ["https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html"]
Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software
To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/softwarechecker.x"]. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities that are described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).
To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/softwarechecker.x"] page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to determine whether a release is affected by any Cisco Security Advisory. To use the form, follow these steps:
Choose which advisories the tool will search—only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR) ["https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#asr"], or all advisories.
Enter a release number—for example, 15.9(3)M2 or 17.3.3.
Click Check.
Only this advisory All Critical and High advisories All advisories
Vulnerability Policy
To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy ["http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/psirt/security_vulnerability_policy.html"]. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
Exploitation and Public Announcements
The Cisco PSIRT is aware that proof-of-concept exploit code is available for the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
Source
This vulnerability was found by X.B. of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG) during internal security testing.
Legal Disclaimer
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.
A standalone copy or paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL is an uncontrolled copy and may lack important information or contain factual errors. The information in this document is intended for end users of Cisco products.
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"category": "summary",
"text": "A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system.\r\n\r\nThis vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.\r\n\r\nCisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis advisory is part of the May 2025 release of the Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: May 2025 Semiannual Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/viewErp.x?alertId=ERP-75279\"].",
"title": "Summary"
},
{
"category": "general",
"text": "This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software for WLCs, regardless of device configuration.\r\n\r\nCatalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud\r\nCatalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches\r\nCatalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers\r\nEmbedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst APs\r\n\r\nFor information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software [\"#fs\"] section of this advisory.",
"title": "Vulnerable Products"
},
{
"category": "general",
"text": "Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products [\"#vp\"] section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.\r\n\r\nCisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:\r\n\r\nIOS Software\r\nIOS XE Software running on devices that are not functioning as WLCs and not listed in the Vulnerable Products [\"https://wiki.cisco.com/display/CASP/IOS+and+IOS+XE+Bundle+March+2025?src=contextnavpagetreemode#vp\"] section of this advisory\r\nIOS XR Software\r\nMeraki products\r\nNX-OS Software\r\nWLC AireOS Software",
"title": "Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable"
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{
"category": "general",
"text": "There are two mitigations that are preferred for addressing this vulnerability for the two possible device configurations:\r\n Impacted Features Not in Use\r\nIf the impacted features are not used, apply infrastructure access control lists (iACLs) to all interfaces and block the interface completely, as shown in the following example. This will completely mitigate the vulnerability.\r\n\r\nwlc# show ap file-transfer https summary\r\nConfigured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any any eq 8443 20 permit ip any any\r\n Impacted Features in Use\r\nIf the impacted features are used, to reduce the attack surface, apply iACLs to limit the AP file upload interface to the WLC to allow traffic from expected sources only. The following is an iACL example that can be included as part of the deployed iACL:\r\n\r\nwlc# show ap file-transfer https summary\r\nConfigured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any INFRASTRUCTURE_ADDRESSES WILDCARD eq 8443 20 permit ip any any\r\n\r\nFor more guidelines and recommendations for deployment techniques for iACLs, see the white paper Protecting Your Core: Infrastructure Protection Access Control Lists [\"https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/access-lists/43920-iacl.html\"].\r\n\r\nThere is also a workaround that addresses this vulnerability.\r\n\r\nManually triggering the AP client debug bundle once, as shown in the following example, will protect all affected features that use the AP file upload interface. Note that this workaround does not persist through reload and must be done any time the device is reloaded.\r\n\r\n! Check and pick any one client in any AP associated with this WLC\r\nwlc# show wireless client summary Number of Clients: 1 MAC Address AP Name Type ID State Protocol Method Role ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5eef.1000.0001 AP5EEF.1000.0003 WLAN 1 Run 11n(5) None Local Number of Excluded Clients: 0 ! Manually trigger the debug bundle once wlc# debug wireless bundle client mac 0100.5eef.1000.0001 Wireless Client debug bundle add event ! Get the site-tag wlc# show ap tag summary | inc AP5EEF.1000.0003|AP Name\r\n\r\nAP Name AP Mac Site Tag Name Policy Tag Name RF Tag Name Misconfigured Tag Source\r\nAP5EEF.1000.0003 5eef.1000.0003 ST1 policy-tag rf-tag No Static\r\n\r\n! Be sure to change the monitor-time to 60 so this process will take 60 seconds and not longer\r\nwlc# debug wireless bundle client start ap-archive site-tag ST1 level debug monitor-time 60 ! Stop debug bundle after 60 seconds wlc# debug wireless bundle client stop-all collect all ! A debug bundle should be generated and the workaround was successfully executed wlc# dir bootflash:completeCDB/* 2883591 -rw- 383488 Jan 6 2025 11:18:25 +00:00 wireless_bundle_0100.5eef.1000.0001.tar 96739794944 bytes total (75825774592 bytes free)\r\n\r\nWhile these workarounds and mitigations have been deployed and were proven successful in a test environment, customers should determine the applicability and effectiveness in their own environment and under their own use conditions. Customers should be aware that any workaround or mitigation that is implemented may negatively impact the functionality or performance of their network based on intrinsic customer deployment scenarios and limitations. Customers should not deploy any workarounds or mitigations before first evaluating the applicability to their own environment and any impact to such environment.",
"title": "Workarounds"
},
{
"category": "general",
"text": "Cisco has released free software updates [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#ssu\"] that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.\r\n\r\nCustomers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:\r\nhttps://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html [\"https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html\"]\r\n\r\nAdditionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.\r\n\r\nThe Cisco Support and Downloads page [\"https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/index.html\"] on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.\r\n\r\nWhen considering software upgrades [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#fixes\"], customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page [\"https://www.cisco.com/go/psirt\"], to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.\r\n\r\nIn all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.\r\n Customers Without Service Contracts\r\nCustomers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html [\"https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html\"]\r\n\r\nCustomers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.\r\n Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software\r\nTo help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/softwarechecker.x\"]. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (\u201cFirst Fixed\u201d). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities that are described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (\u201cCombined First Fixed\u201d).\r\n\r\nTo use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/softwarechecker.x\"] page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to determine whether a release is affected by any Cisco Security Advisory. To use the form, follow these steps:\r\n\r\nChoose which advisories the tool will search\u2014only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR) [\"https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#asr\"], or all advisories.\r\nEnter a release number\u2014for example, 15.9(3)M2 or 17.3.3.\r\nClick Check.\r\n\r\n Only this advisory All Critical and High advisories All advisories",
"title": "Fixed Software"
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"category": "general",
"text": "To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy [\"http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/psirt/security_vulnerability_policy.html\"]. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.",
"title": "Vulnerability Policy"
},
{
"category": "general",
"text": "The Cisco PSIRT is aware that proof-of-concept exploit code is available for the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.\r\n\r\nThe Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.",
"title": "Exploitation and Public Announcements"
},
{
"category": "general",
"text": "This vulnerability was found by X.B. of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG) during internal security testing.",
"title": "Source"
},
{
"category": "legal_disclaimer",
"text": "THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN \"AS IS\" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.\r\n\r\nA standalone copy or paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL is an uncontrolled copy and may lack important information or contain factual errors. The information in this document is intended for end users of Cisco products.",
"title": "Legal Disclaimer"
}
],
"publisher": {
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"contact_details": "psirt@cisco.com",
"issuing_authority": "Cisco PSIRT",
"name": "Cisco",
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"references": [
{
"category": "self",
"summary": "Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC"
},
{
"category": "external",
"summary": "Cisco Event Response: May 2025 Semiannual Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/viewErp.x?alertId=ERP-75279"
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"summary": "Security Vulnerability Policy",
"url": "http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/psirt/security_vulnerability_policy.html"
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],
"title": "Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability",
"tracking": {
"current_release_date": "2025-06-06T20:02:48+00:00",
"generator": {
"date": "2025-06-06T23:00:51+00:00",
"engine": {
"name": "TVCE"
}
},
"id": "cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC",
"initial_release_date": "2025-05-07T16:00:00+00:00",
"revision_history": [
{
"date": "2025-05-07T15:52:54+00:00",
"number": "1.0.0",
"summary": "Initial public release."
},
{
"date": "2025-06-06T16:16:02+00:00",
"number": "2.0.0",
"summary": "Added two more affected features. Updated the vulnerable configuration conditions. Added a workaround and mitigations. Added the fact that Cisco is aware of proof of concept code."
},
{
"date": "2025-06-06T17:10:44+00:00",
"number": "2.1.0",
"summary": "Prioritized the mitigations over the workaround, as the preferred method."
},
{
"date": "2025-06-06T20:02:48+00:00",
"number": "2.2.0",
"summary": "Updated the mitigations."
}
],
"status": "final",
"version": "2.2.0"
}
},
"product_tree": {
"branches": [
{
"branches": [
{
"branches": [
{
"branches": [
{
"category": "service_pack",
"name": "17.11.1",
"product": {
"name": "17.11.1",
"product_id": "CSAFPID-286799"
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}
],
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},
{
"branches": [
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},
{
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{
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{
"branches": [
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],
"category": "product_family",
"name": "Cisco IOS XE Software"
}
],
"category": "vendor",
"name": "Cisco"
}
]
},
"vulnerabilities": [
{
"cve": "CVE-2025-20188",
"ids": [
{
"system_name": "Cisco Bug ID",
"text": "CSCwk33139"
}
],
"notes": [
{
"category": "other",
"text": "Complete.",
"title": "Affected Product Comprehensiveness"
}
],
"product_status": {
"known_affected": [
"CSAFPID-286799",
"CSAFPID-286801",
"CSAFPID-295359",
"CSAFPID-295361",
"CSAFPID-296860",
"CSAFPID-300834",
"CSAFPID-300936"
]
},
"remediations": [
{
"category": "vendor_fix",
"details": "Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.",
"product_ids": [
"CSAFPID-286799",
"CSAFPID-286801",
"CSAFPID-295359",
"CSAFPID-295361",
"CSAFPID-296860",
"CSAFPID-300834",
"CSAFPID-300936"
],
"url": "https://software.cisco.com"
},
{
"category": "workaround",
"details": "There are two mitigations that are preferred for addressing this vulnerability for the two possible device configurations:\r\n Impacted Features Not in Use\r\nIf the impacted features are not used, apply infrastructure access control lists (iACLs) to all interfaces and block the interface completely, as shown in the following example. This will completely mitigate the vulnerability.\r\n\r\nwlc# show ap file-transfer https summary\r\nConfigured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any any eq 8443 20 permit ip any any\r\n Impacted Features in Use\r\nIf the impacted features are used, to reduce the attack surface, apply iACLs to limit the AP file upload interface to the WLC to allow traffic from expected sources only. The following is an iACL example that can be included as part of the deployed iACL:\r\n\r\nwlc# show ap file-transfer https summary\r\nConfigured port : 8443 Operational port : 8443 wlc# show ip access-lists CVE-2025-20188 10 deny tcp any INFRASTRUCTURE_ADDRESSES WILDCARD eq 8443 20 permit ip any any\r\n\r\nFor more guidelines and recommendations for deployment techniques for iACLs, see the white paper Protecting Your Core: Infrastructure Protection Access Control Lists [\"https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/access-lists/43920-iacl.html\"].\r\n\r\nThere is also a workaround that addresses this vulnerability.\r\n\r\nManually triggering the AP client debug bundle once, as shown in the following example, will protect all affected features that use the AP file upload interface. Note that this workaround does not persist through reload and must be done any time the device is reloaded.\r\n\r\n! Check and pick any one client in any AP associated with this WLC\r\nwlc# show wireless client summary Number of Clients: 1 MAC Address AP Name Type ID State Protocol Method Role ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5eef.1000.0001 AP5EEF.1000.0003 WLAN 1 Run 11n(5) None Local Number of Excluded Clients: 0 ! Manually trigger the debug bundle once wlc# debug wireless bundle client mac 0100.5eef.1000.0001 Wireless Client debug bundle add event ! Get the site-tag wlc# show ap tag summary | inc AP5EEF.1000.0003|AP Name\r\n\r\nAP Name AP Mac Site Tag Name Policy Tag Name RF Tag Name Misconfigured Tag Source\r\nAP5EEF.1000.0003 5eef.1000.0003 ST1 policy-tag rf-tag No Static\r\n\r\n! Be sure to change the monitor-time to 60 so this process will take 60 seconds and not longer\r\nwlc# debug wireless bundle client start ap-archive site-tag ST1 level debug monitor-time 60 ! Stop debug bundle after 60 seconds wlc# debug wireless bundle client stop-all collect all ! A debug bundle should be generated and the workaround was successfully executed wlc# dir bootflash:completeCDB/* 2883591 -rw- 383488 Jan 6 2025 11:18:25 +00:00 wireless_bundle_0100.5eef.1000.0001.tar 96739794944 bytes total (75825774592 bytes free)\r\n\r\nWhile these workarounds and mitigations have been deployed and were proven successful in a test environment, customers should determine the applicability and effectiveness in their own environment and under their own use conditions. Customers should be aware that any workaround or mitigation that is implemented may negatively impact the functionality or performance of their network based on intrinsic customer deployment scenarios and limitations. Customers should not deploy any workarounds or mitigations before first evaluating the applicability to their own environment and any impact to such environment.",
"product_ids": [
"CSAFPID-286799",
"CSAFPID-286801",
"CSAFPID-295359",
"CSAFPID-295361",
"CSAFPID-296860",
"CSAFPID-300834",
"CSAFPID-300936"
]
}
],
"scores": [
{
"cvss_v3": {
"baseScore": 10.0,
"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"version": "3.1"
},
"products": [
"CSAFPID-286799",
"CSAFPID-286801",
"CSAFPID-295359",
"CSAFPID-295361",
"CSAFPID-296860",
"CSAFPID-300834",
"CSAFPID-300936"
]
}
],
"title": "Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software Static Credential Vulnerability"
}
]
}
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Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or seen somewhere by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability is confirmed from an analyst perspective.
- Exploited: This vulnerability was exploited and seen by the user reporting the sighting.
- Patched: This vulnerability was successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.
- Not exploited: This vulnerability was not exploited or seen by the user reporting the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expresses doubt about the veracity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: This vulnerability was not successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.
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