CVE-2025-20198 Privilege escalation in Cisco IOS XE Software

Medium 4.6 Published 7 May 2025 Updated 26 Feb 2026

An authenticated local attacker with privilege level 15 can elevate privileges to root on Cisco IOS XE devices via crafted configuration commands.

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-2025-20198?

CVE-2025-20198 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 7 May 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 CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when processing specific configuration commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input in specific configuration commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The security impact rating (SIR) of this advisory has been raised to High because an attacker could gain access to the underlying operating system of the affected device and perform potentially undetected actions. Note: The attacker must have privileges to enter configuration mode on the affected device. This is usually referred to as privilege level 15.

Weakness: CWE-754

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20198?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20198?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20198 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2025-20198 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-20198 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-4c6g-3rgr-jvfh.