A vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system as root. The attacker does not require any valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain root privileges on an affected device.
Given the CVSS score of 10.0, this vulnerability is classified as critical. Organizations using affected Cisco products must understand the implications of this vulnerability. Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and control over critical systems, leading to severe operational disruptions. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability has been analyzed and is confirmed to have exploitability. This means that it is crucial for organizations to act swiftly to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, particularly given its high profile in the security landscape.
The urgency for defenders is high, given the critical nature of the vulnerability and the potential for widespread exploitation. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is officially described as allowing unauthenticated remote code execution due to insufficient input validation in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC. The CVSS score assigned to this vulnerability is 10.0, indicating a critical severity level.
The affected products include Cisco Identity Services Engine and Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector, with multiple versions being impacted. The vulnerability was published on June 25, 2025, and is classified under CWE-74, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of user-supplied input. Attackers may leverage this weakness by sending specially crafted API requests over the network. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability. Furthermore, no user interaction is needed, making it particularly dangerous.
The potential impacts of this vulnerability are significant, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability all being rated as high. A successful exploit could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root, leading to complete control over affected devices.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing Cisco Identity Services Engine are at risk of significant operational disruptions and potential data breaches due to this vulnerability. Given its critical nature and the ease of exploitation, the blast radius for potential attacks could be vast, affecting not only the vulnerable systems but also interconnected services and networks.
The urgency assessment is high due to the vulnerability being actively exploited and included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations must take immediate action to patch affected systems or implement compensating controls to mitigate the risk.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE-PIC prior to the latest patches are affected. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest version to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must apply the latest patches provided by Cisco for the Identity Services Engine and ensure that all instances are updated to the patched versions. If a patch is not available, organizations should consider implementing network controls to limit exposure to the affected API and monitor for any suspicious activity.
For more comprehensive measures, organizations might consider engaging in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their security measures.
Detection Guidance
Security teams should monitor logs for unusual API access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Indicators of compromise may include unexpected error messages, increased traffic to the affected API, and unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing need for robust input validation mechanisms in API development. As organizations increasingly rely on APIs to facilitate interactions, the risk associated with insufficient validation must be a primary concern for security teams.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, understanding the implications of such vulnerabilities can guide better API design and implementation practices.
Security teams should stay informed about emerging threats and continuously review their security measures. Engaging in proactive measures, such as regular security assessments and adopting best practices, will aid in mitigating risks as they evolve.
For further insights and strategies, organizations can refer to our penetration testing methodology for best practices.
Additionally, organizations should explore measures for implementing effective security controls and incident response strategies. For tailored security testing approaches, see our vulnerability management program design guide.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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