CVE-2025-20161: Cisco NX-OS Software Command Injection Vulnerability
Description
A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.
Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.
Classification
CVE ID: CVE-2025-20161
CVSS Base Severity: MEDIUM
CVSS Base Score: 5.1
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Problem Types
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')Affected Products
Vendor: Cisco
Product: Cisco NX-OS Software
Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)
EPSS Score: 0.23% (probability of being exploited)
EPSS Percentile: 42.4% (scored less or equal to compared to others)
EPSS Date: 2025-03-27 (when was this score calculated)
References
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20161https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nxos-ici-dpOjbWxk