CVE-2025-20124 Cisco Identity Services Engine Java Deserialization Vulnerability
Authenticated attackers with read-only admin credentials can execute arbitrary commands as root via insecure Java deserialization in Cisco ISE.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-20124?
CVE-2025-20124 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine, published on 5 Feb 2025. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in an API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of user-supplied Java byte streams by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted serialized Java object to an affected API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device and elevate privileges. Note: To successfully exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid read-only administrative credentials. In a single-node deployment, new devices will not be able to authenticate during the reload time.
Weakness: CWE-502
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20124?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Cisco Identity Services Engine.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20124?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20124 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.
Is CVE-2025-20124 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-20124 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry.
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine
- CVE-2026-76460 Cisco Identity Services Engine Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs
- CVE-2025-20337 Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection
- CVE-2025-20281 Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection
- CVE-2026-20130 Cisco Identity Services Engine Hardening Release - Improper Neutralization Vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-20192 Cisco Identity Services Engine Hardening Release - Access Control Vulnerabilities
Sources
Also known as GHSA-4ch8-9r52-j78v.