Vulnerability · Published Sep 10, 2025 · Assigned by cisco

CVE-2025-20248Cisco IOS XR Software Image Verification Bypass Vulnerability

Medium 6.0

In plain English

A medium-severity security flaw in Cisco IOS XR Software from Cisco. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.1% (higher than 1% of all known vulnerabilities).

Severity (CVSS 3.1)6.0Medium
Exploit odds (30 days)<0.1%top 99.3% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

A vulnerability in the installation process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to bypass Cisco IOS XR Software image signature verification and load unsigned software on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have root-system privileges on the affected device. This vulnerability is due to incomplete validation of files during the installation of an .iso file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying contents of the .iso image and then installing and activating it on the device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to load an unsigned file as part of the image activation process.

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
Cisco Cisco IOS XR Software 6.5.36.5.296.5.16.6.16.5.26.5.926.5.156.6.2

Weakness: CWE-347 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References