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MEDIUM · 6.7

CVE-2025-20177

A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to bypass Cisco IOS XR image signature verification and load unverified software on an affecte...

Vulnerability Description

A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to bypass Cisco IOS XR image signature verification and load unverified 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 in the boot verification process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the system configuration options to bypass some of the integrity checks that are performed during the boot process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to control the boot configuration, which could enable them to bypass the requirement to run Cisco-signed images or alter the security properties of the running system. Note: Because exploitation of this vulnerability could result in the attacker bypassing Cisco image verification, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.

CVSS Score

6.7

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
HIGH
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH

Affected Products

VendorProductVersions
CiscoIos Xr< 7.11.21
Cisco8011-4G24Y4H-I-
Cisco8101-32Fh-
Cisco8101-32Fh-O-
Cisco8101-32H-O-
Cisco8102-28Fh-Dpu-O-
Cisco8102-64H-
Cisco8102-64H-O-
Cisco8111-32Eh-O-
Cisco8122-64Eh-O-
Cisco8122-64Ehf-O-
Cisco8201-
Cisco8201-24H8Fh-
Cisco8201-32Fh-
Cisco8201-32Fh-O-
Cisco8202-
Cisco8202-32Fh-M-
Cisco8212-48Fh-M-
Cisco8404-
Cisco8501-Sys-Mt-

Related Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-274

References

FAQ

What is CVE-2025-20177?

CVE-2025-20177 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 6.7 (MEDIUM). A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to bypass Cisco IOS XR image signature verification and load unverified software on an affecte...

How severe is CVE-2025-20177?

CVE-2025-20177 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 6.7/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2025-20177?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Cisco Ios Xr, Cisco 8011-4G24Y4H-I, Cisco 8101-32Fh, Cisco 8101-32Fh-O, Cisco 8101-32H-O.