Ethical Hacking News
Critical Cisco ISE Flaws Allow Remote Code Execution, Leaving Users Vulnerable to Attack
A recent discovery by Cisco Systems has revealed critical vulnerabilities in its Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC), which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root-level privileges. Learn more about the implications of this vulnerability on organizations that rely on these solutions.
Cisco Systems has released patches for critical vulnerabilities in its Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC). The vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-20281 and CVE-2025-20282, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root-level privileges. No known attacks have been reported in the wild exploiting these vulnerabilities at present. Organizations using Cisco ISE/ISE-PIC solutions are strongly advised to apply the patches immediately to mitigate risks. The incident highlights the importance of regular software updates, patch management, and vulnerability testing in maintaining security posture.
Cisco Systems has released patches for critical vulnerabilities in its Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC), which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root-level privileges. This alarming discovery highlights the potential risks associated with relying on third-party software solutions for cybersecurity purposes.
The two critical flaws, tracked as CVE-2025-20281 and CVE-2025-20282, were identified by Cisco's Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT). The first vulnerability, CVE-2025-20281, affects Cisco ISE/ISE-PIC versions 3.3+, while the second one impacts only version 3.4. Fortunately, there are no known attacks in the wild exploiting these vulnerabilities at present.
However, this discovery poses significant concerns for organizations that rely on Cisco ISE/ISE-PIC solutions for their security and identity services. The potential consequences of a successful attack could be severe, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of network operations, and potentially even physical damage to critical infrastructure.
The vulnerability in CVE-2025-20281 is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input, which allows an attacker to execute code as root via a vulnerable API. On the other hand, the vulnerability in CVE-2025-20282 is due to a lack of file validation checks that would prevent uploaded files from being placed in privileged directories on an affected system.
In light of this discovery, organizations using Cisco ISE/ISE-PIC solutions are strongly advised to apply the patches released by Cisco as soon as possible. This will help mitigate the risks associated with these critical vulnerabilities and ensure the continued security and integrity of their systems.
Moreover, the incident highlights the importance of regular software updates, patch management, and vulnerability testing in maintaining the overall security posture of an organization. It also emphasizes the need for organizations to stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities, and to take proactive measures to address them before they can be exploited.
Furthermore, this discovery underscores the significance of the role that cybersecurity experts play in identifying and mitigating threats to computer systems and networks. The swift detection and disclosure of these vulnerabilities by Cisco's PSIRT demonstrate a commitment to transparency and responsible disclosure, which is essential for maintaining trust and confidence in the security solutions provided by such organizations.
In conclusion, the critical flaws identified in Cisco ISE/ISE-PIC pose a significant threat to organizations that rely on these solutions. The swift application of patches and proactive measures taken by organizations can help mitigate this risk and ensure their continued security and integrity. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, it is essential for organizations to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to address emerging vulnerabilities.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Critical-Cisco-ISE-Flaws-Allow-Remote-Code-Execution-Leaving-Users-Vulnerable-to-Attack-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/179362/security/cisco-fixed-critical-ise-flaws-allowing-root-level-rce.html
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20281
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-20281/
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20282
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-20282/
Published: Thu Jun 26 08:34:01 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
