CVE-2025-20161: Command Injection (CVSS 5.1)

Description

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

5.1

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-78 OS Command Injection

References

Other References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nxos-ici-dpOjbWxk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-20161? +

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.1 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2025-20161? +

CVE-2025-20161 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.1 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2025-20161? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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