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Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2025-20281 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 28 Jul 2025

Gociux · Cisco Identity Services Engine · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2025-20281, Cisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 28 Jul 2025, 33 days after it was published. It affects Cisco Identity Services Engine. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 28 Jul 2025
ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use
EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited
severity10CVSS 3.1 · critical
US federal due18 Aug 2025BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

Cisco Identity Services Engine contains an injection vulnerability in a specific API of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted API request. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution and obtaining root privileges on an affected device.

VendorCisco (103 exploited CVEs in KEV)
ProductIdentity Services Engine
VulnerabilityCisco Identity Services Engine Injection Vulnerability
WeaknessCWE-74
Published25 Jun 2025
Added to KEV28 Jul 2025
Reported by (CNA)cisco

What to do

  1. Check whether you run it. Look for Identity Services Engine in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Cisco CVE at once.
  2. Apply the fix. Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 25 Jun 2025.
  4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Cisco.

Other exploited CVEs in Identity Services Engine

References

Questions

Is CVE-2025-20281 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2025-20281 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 28 Jul 2025, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2025-20281 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20281?

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Check Cisco's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Identity Services Engine and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in July 2025 · Cisco scorecard · act-now radar.

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