CVE-2025-20248: A vulnerability in the installation process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attac

Routine

MEDIUM 6.0MITIGATE

CVE-2025-20248 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.0) affecting ios xr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 ex

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.0 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 99%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-347
Published	2025-09-10
Last modified	2026-09-26

Publisher (CNA): Cisco Systems, Inc. · Vendor: cisco

Last updated 2026-09-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-09-10 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-26 00:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cisco ios xr MITIGATE

Affected: 6.5.1 · 6.5.2 · 6.5.3 · 6.5.15 · 6.5.25 · 6.5.26 · 6.5.28 · 6.5.29

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.5.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-20248?

ios xr: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-20248 being exploited?

CVE-2025-20248 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-20248 affect?

CVE-2025-20248 affects ios xr. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.0). 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

How urgent is CVE-2025-20248?

Priority 21/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

iOS vulnerabilities · Cisco vulnerabilities

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References

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