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CVE-2026-20125: High Vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software

A high-severity vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software may lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition if exploited. Organizations are urged to prioritize patching to mitigate potential impacts.

HIGHCVSS 7.7 · Published March 25, 2026

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A vulnerability in the HTTP Server feature of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software Release 3E could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to cause an affected device to reload unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malformed HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a watchdog timer to expire and the device to reload, resulting in a DoS condition. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have a valid user account.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.7, indicating a high-severity risk. Organizations should be aware that risk to organizations includes potential significant disruptions to network services. The vulnerability's exploitability is rated as high, emphasizing the need for immediate attention.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. Continuous monitoring and proactive measures are essential to safeguard network infrastructure.

Currently, there is no known public exploit or proof-of-concept available. However, given the nature of the vulnerability, it remains critical for organizations to stay vigilant.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability affects the HTTP Server feature within Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software Release 3E. The official CVE description states that improper validation of user-supplied input can result in unexpected device reloads, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition.

The CVSS score of 7.7 categorizes this vulnerability as high severity, with high potential availability impact. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-228, indicating improper validation of input.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the HTTP Server's improper validation of input. The attack vector is classified as network-based, with a low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction. The potential impacts on availability are high, as successful exploitation could lead to a complete service disruption.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world deployment risk is significant, as affected organizations could face service outages that impact business operations. The blast radius could extend to any environment using the affected Cisco IOS Software and IOS XE Software Release 3E, making this a critical vulnerability for network administrators to address.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

Currently, all versions of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software prior to the vendor patch are affected. Organizations should confirm their software version and apply the necessary updates.

Mitigation & Remediation

Cisco has not yet released a patch for this vulnerability. Organizations should monitor for updates from Cisco and apply any patches as soon as they become available. In the meantime, implementing network segmentation and restricting access to the HTTP Server feature can help mitigate potential risks.

Detection Guidance

Monitoring logs for unusual HTTP requests and implementing network signatures to detect potential exploitation attempts can provide early warning signs of exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

This vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in network services. Security teams should reinforce input validation measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Regular patch management processes should be adopted to ensure timely remediation.

For further information on related security assessments, organizations can refer to our application security assessments to enhance their security posture.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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