CVE-2025-20248 Cisco IOS XR Software Image Verification Bypass Vulnerability

Medium 6.0 Published 10 Sep 2025 Updated 26 Feb 2026

An authenticated local attacker with root privileges can bypass image signature verification to load unsigned software on Cisco IOS XR devices.

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-2025-20248?

CVE-2025-20248 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xr, published on 10 Sep 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 installation process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to bypass Cisco IOS XR Software image signature verification and load unsigned software on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have root-system privileges on the affected device. This vulnerability is due to incomplete validation of files during the installation of an .iso file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying contents of the .iso image and then installing and activating it on the device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to load an unsigned file as part of the image activation process.

Weakness: CWE-347

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20248?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xr.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20248?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20248 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2025-20248 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-20248 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios Xr vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-q9rh-69gg-78fc.