CVE-2025-20281
Cisco ISE API Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- Published
- Jun 25, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Assigning CNA
- cisco
- Evidence observed
- Jul 28, 2025
Primary CVSS
nvd · CVSS 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HHigh · next 30 days
- Percentile
- 99.9%
- Model date
- Sep 21, 2026
EPSS is a statistical estimate, not a certainty or a measure of impact. Combine it with CVSS, KEV status, exposure and your environment.
CISA Known Exploited
This CVE appears in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Summary
A vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system as root. The attacker does not require any valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain root privileges on an affected device.
Sources
4Unauthenticated Python PoC for CVE-2025-20281 RCE against ISE ERS API
- CVE-2025-20281-CiscoScanner
This script checks for the presence of the **CVE-2025-20281** vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE-PIC, which allows **unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE)** as root due to insufficient input validation in a specific API.
Responsible use
Use vulnerability information only on systems you own or are authorized to test. Kitploit links to public research metadata and does not store exploit code or malicious payloads.