6.0
MEDIUM
CVSS 3.1
CVE-2025-20248
Cisco IOS XR Software Image Verification Bypass Vulnerability
Overview
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.
Details
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 10, 2025, 4:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 26, 2026, 12:10 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Scoring
CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework
for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems.
We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
Address software image signature verification bypass by applying Cisco security advisories.
- Consult Cisco security advisories for affected software.
- Apply relevant security patches or updates.
- Verify image integrity and signature validation.
- Implement strict access controls for installation.
References
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-2025-20248.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-xrsig-UY4zRUCG | Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-20248 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-2025-20248
weaknesses.
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2025-20248 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-20248 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.
-
CVE Translated by [email protected]
Sep. 26, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Translation Title: proceso de instalación en Cisco IOS XR Software de Cisco, Description: Una vulnerabilidad en el proceso de instalación de Cisco IOS XR Software podría permitir a un atacante local autenticado eludir la verificación de firma de imagen de Cisco IOS XR Software y cargar software sin firmar en un dispositivo afectado. Para explotar esta vulnerabilidad, el atacante debe tener privilegios de root-system en el dispositivo afectado. Esta vulnerabilidad se debe a una validación incompleta de archivos durante la instalación de un archivo .iso. Un atacante podría explotar esta vulnerabilidad modificando el contenido de la imagen .iso y luego instalándola y activándola en el dispositivo. Un exploit exitoso podría permitir al atacante cargar un archivo sin firmar como parte del proceso de activación de la imagen. -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Sep. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.1.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.2.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.10.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.9.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.11.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.7.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.8.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.5.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.10.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.9.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.9.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.6.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.4.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.4.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.11.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.27:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.32:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.31:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.1.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.0.90:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.90:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.93:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.28:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.6.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.26:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.92:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.29:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.7.35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.2.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.11.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:7.8.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.4.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:24.4.15:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.351:*:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:6.5.352:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added Reference Type Cisco Systems, Inc.: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-xrsig-UY4zRUCG Types: Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'Cisco', 'product': 'Cisco IOS XR Software', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.29'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.92'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.15'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.0.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.25'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.26'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.11'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.25'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.28'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.93'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.12'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.90'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.0.0'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.0.90'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.7.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.0.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1.15'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.2.0'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.2.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.7.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1.25'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.6.4'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.7.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.4.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.2.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.31'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.8.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.4.15'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.32'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.5.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.4.16'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.27'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.6.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.5.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.6.15'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.7.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.8.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.4'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.4.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.7.35'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.9.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.6.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.8.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.5.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.7.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.9.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.9.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.8.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.5.4'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.33'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.8.22'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.10.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.7.21'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.9.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.5'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.5.5'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.11.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.9.21'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.10.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.6.3'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.1.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.3.6'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.11.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.2.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.1.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.2.11'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.3.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.4.1'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.2.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.8.23'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.11.21'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.2.20'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.3.2'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.4.10'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.35'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '24.4.15'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.351'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.5.352'}], 'defaultStatus': 'unknown'}] -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2025-20248', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2025-09-11T03:56:26.903508Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Sep. 10, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added 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. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-347 Added Reference https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-xrsig-UY4zRUCG
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity
being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS
score history of the vulnerability.