CVE-2025-20293 Missing authorization in Cisco IOS XE Software
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit incomplete cleanup to access the PKI server, obtain certificates, and join rogue devices to the wireless controller.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-20293?
CVE-2025-20293 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software, published on 24 Sep 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in the Day One setup process of Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers for Cloud (9800-CL) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the public-key infrastructure (PKI) server that is running on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to incomplete cleanup upon completion of the Day One setup process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to request a certificate from the virtual wireless controller and then use the acquired certificate to join an attacker-controlled device to the virtual wireless controller.
Weakness: CWE-459
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-20293?
How do I fix CVE-2025-20293?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-20293 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2025-20293 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-20293 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-vjm2-5vch-882g.