CVE-2025-20281

CISA description

Cisco Identity Services Engine contains an injection vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution and obtaining root privileges on an affected device.

Required action

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Notes & references

• https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-unauth-rce-ZAd2GnJ6
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20281

Where this lands in 800-53

Vulnerability data triggers these controls during assessment and continuous monitoring.

• RA-5 · Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning
• SI-2 · Flaw Remediation
• CM-6 · Configuration Settings
• SI-7 · Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity
• CM-8 · System Component Inventory

External lookups

• NVD · CVE-2025-20281
• CVE.org · CVE-2025-20281
• CISA KEV catalog (canonical)