Cisco has released a critical security update to patch CVE-2025-20188, a zero-click vulnerability with a CVSS score of 10.0 that affects multiple IOS XE Wireless Controller models. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to upload files and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on vulnerable devices.
Key Details of CVE-2025-20188
The vulnerability stems from a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) embedded within affected systems. If exploited, an attacker could send crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface and perform file uploads, path traversal, and remote code execution with full system control.
This issue impacts the following Cisco products when running vulnerable firmware and with the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature enabled:
- Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud
- Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches
- Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
- Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points
Importantly, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature is disabled by default, limiting risk for systems where it remains off.
Exploitation Requirements and Recommendations
According to Cisco’s advisory, successful exploitation requires the targeted device to have the vulnerable feature manually enabled. Cisco recommends the following actions:
- Immediate Upgrade: Apply the latest security patches released on May 8, 2025.
- Temporary Mitigation: Disable the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature if upgrades are not immediately possible.
Cisco notes that disabling the feature does not disrupt AP functionality, as image downloads will fall back to CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points), which is not impacted by this flaw.
Discovery and Impact
The flaw was discovered during internal security testing by a member of Cisco’s Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG), identified only as X.B. At this time, there is no evidence that CVE-2025-20188 has been exploited in the wild.
This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials, a common weakness that can lead to severe breaches when present in production software.
What SOC Teams Need to Know
Security operations teams should treat CVE-2025-20188 as a top-priority vulnerability due to its unauthenticated, remote code execution impact and critical CVSS score of 10.0. Although the exploit path relies on the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature being enabled (which is disabled by default), environments with custom configurations or legacy setups may unknowingly be at risk. SOC teams should immediately audit all Cisco IOS XE wireless controllers for exposure, confirm the feature is disabled if patching is delayed, and begin log analysis for any suspicious HTTPS activity targeting the AP image download interface. It is also recommended to set up alerts for configuration changes that may enable the vulnerable feature and verify integrity of critical system files.
CVE-2025-20188 presents a serious risk for organizations using Cisco IOS XE-based wireless controllers with the vulnerable image download feature enabled. Administrators are urged to update affected systems immediately or disable the vulnerable feature to prevent potential remote compromise.
Cisco’s full advisory and mitigation steps are available here:
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