CVE-2025-20161 Cisco NX-OS Software Command Injection Vulnerability
An authenticated local attacker can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges by installing a crafted software image on Cisco Nexus switches.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-20161?
CVE-2025-20161 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software, published on 26 Feb 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official 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.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20161?
How do I fix CVE-2025-20161?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20161 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2025-20161 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-20161 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-wc27-6x2h-q38w.