CVE-2025-20188
Cisco IOS XE Software Wireless LAN Controllers Unauthenticated Remote File Upload and Command Execution Vulnerability
Description
A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
INFO
Published Date :
May 7, 2025, 6:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 23, 2025, 3:15 p.m.
Source :
[email protected]
Remotely Exploitable :
Yes !
Impact Score :
6.0
Exploitability Score :
3.9
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2025-20188 has a 6 public PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2025-20188.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC | Vendor Advisory |
| https://horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/cisco-ios-xe-wlc-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-cve-2025-20188-analysis/ | Exploit Third Party Advisory |
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
An Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Cisco Security Advisories
Python
None
CVE-2025-20188: Unauthenticated RCE in Cisco IOS XE WLC via Hard-Coded JWT
None
None
HTML Python Shell
Ostorlab KEV: One-command to detect most remotely known exploitable vulnerabilities. Sourced from CISA KEV, Google's Tsunami, Ostorlab's Asteroid and Bug Bounty programs.
cisa-kev vulnerability 0day cisa exploits
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2025-20188 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
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Daily CyberSecurity
Critical CVSS 10.0 Flaws in B. Braun OnlineSuite Threaten Healthcare Infrastructure
B. Braun Melsungen AG has issued a high-priority security advisory warning of three severe vulnerabilities affecting its OnlineSuite AP 3.0 and earlier, including one rated a maximum CVSS score of 10. ... Read more
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Dark Reading
Exploitation Risk Grows for Critical Cisco Bug
Source: Sergiy Palamarchuk via ShutterstockThe risk of attackers exploiting a recently disclosed maximum severity vulnerability in Cisco's IOS XE Wireless Controller software has increased significant ... Read more
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BleepingComputer
Exploit details for max severity Cisco IOS XE flaw now public
Technical details about a maximum-severity Cisco IOS XE WLC arbitrary file upload flaw tracked as CVE-2025-20188 have been made publicly available, bringing us closer to a working exploit. The write-u ... Read more
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Cyber Security News
Critical Cisco IOS XE Vulnerability Allows Arbitrary File Upload – PoC Released
A critical security vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software has emerged as a significant threat to enterprise networks, with researchers releasing proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit cod ... Read more
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BleepingComputer
Cisco fixes max severity IOS XE flaw letting attackers hijack devices
Cisco has fixed a maximum severity flaw in IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers by a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to take over devices. This t ... Read more
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The Cyber Express
Nmap 7.96 Launches with Lightning-Fast DNS and 612 Scripts
The Nmap Project has officially launched the highly anticipated Nmap 7.96, bringing a wealth of new features, performance upgrades, and bug fixes to the popular network scanning tool. As a fundamental ... Read more
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The Cyber Express
CVE-2025-20188: Cisco Fixes 10.0-Rated Wireless Controller Flaw
Cisco has rolled out software patches to address a severe security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-20188, in its IOS XE Wireless Controller software. The flaw, which has been assigned the highest p ... Read more
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security.nl
Cisco: hardcoded token in wireless controller software geeft aanvaller rootrechten
Cisco waarschuwt voor een kritieke kwetsbaarheid in de IOS XE wireless controller software waardoor een ongeauthenticeerde remote aanvaller willekeurige commando's als root kan uitvoeren. De impact va ... Read more
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The Hacker News
Cisco Patches CVE-2025-20188 (10.0 CVSS) in IOS XE That Enables Root Exploits via JWT
Vulnerability / Network Security Cisco has released software fixes to address a maximum-severity security flaw in its IOS XE Wireless Controller that could enable an unauthenticated, remote attacker t ... Read more
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Cyber Security News
Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controllers Vulnerability Enables Full Device Control for Attackers
Cisco has disclosed a critical security vulnerability in its IOS XE Wireless LAN Controllers that could allow unauthorized attackers to gain complete control of affected devices. The flaw, assigned th ... Read more
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Daily CyberSecurity
Critical CVE-2025-20188 (CVSS 10) Flaw in Cisco IOS XE WLCs Allows Remote Root Access
Cisco has released a security advisory addressing a critical vulnerability in its IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs). The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-20188, carries a CVSS s ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-20188 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jun. 23, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.11.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.11.99sw:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.13.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:17.14.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/cisco-ios-xe-wlc-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-cve-2025-20188-analysis/ Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type Cisco Systems, Inc.: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC Types: Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 06, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Note: For exploitation to be successful, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device. It is not enabled by default. A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, the Clean Air Spectral Recording, and the client debug bundles features of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 04, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/cisco-ios-xe-wlc-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-cve-2025-20188-analysis/ -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
May. 07, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Note: For exploitation to be successful, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device. It is not enabled by default. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-798 Added Reference https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-20188 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-20188
weaknesses.