Cisco IOS XR Authenticated Local Attacker Bypass Image Signature Verification
CVE-2025-20177 Published on March 12, 2025
Cisco IOS XR Software Image Verification Bypass Vulnerability
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.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-20177 can be exploited with local system access, and requires user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be very high.
Weakness Type
Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges
The software does not handle or incorrectly handles when it has insufficient privileges to perform an operation, leading to resultant weaknesses.
Products Associated with CVE-2025-20177
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Affected Versions
Cisco IOS XR Software:- Version 7.0.1 is affected.
- Version 7.0.0 is affected.
- Version 7.1.1 is affected.
- Version 7.0.90 is affected.
- Version 6.7.1 is affected.
- Version 7.0.2 is affected.
- Version 7.1.15 is affected.
- Version 7.2.0 is affected.
- Version 7.2.1 is affected.
- Version 7.1.2 is affected.
- Version 6.7.2 is affected.
- Version 7.0.11 is affected.
- Version 7.0.12 is affected.
- Version 7.0.14 is affected.
- Version 7.1.25 is affected.
- Version 7.2.12 is affected.
- Version 7.3.1 is affected.
- Version 7.1.3 is affected.
- Version 6.7.3 is affected.
- Version 7.4.1 is affected.
- Version 7.2.2 is affected.
- Version 6.7.4 is affected.
- Version 7.3.15 is affected.
- Version 7.3.16 is affected.
- Version 6.8.1 is affected.
- Version 7.4.15 is affected.
- Version 7.3.2 is affected.
- Version 7.5.1 is affected.
- Version 7.4.16 is affected.
- Version 7.3.27 is affected.
- Version 7.6.1 is affected.
- Version 7.5.2 is affected.
- Version 7.8.1 is affected.
- Version 7.6.15 is affected.
- Version 7.5.12 is affected.
- Version 7.3.3 is affected.
- Version 7.7.1 is affected.
- Version 6.8.2 is affected.
- Version 7.3.4 is affected.
- Version 7.4.2 is affected.
- Version 6.7.35 is affected.
- Version 6.9.1 is affected.
- Version 7.6.2 is affected.
- Version 7.5.3 is affected.
- Version 7.7.2 is affected.
- Version 6.9.2 is affected.
- Version 7.9.1 is affected.
- Version 7.10.1 is affected.
- Version 7.8.2 is affected.
- Version 7.5.4 is affected.
- Version 7.8.22 is affected.
- Version 7.7.21 is affected.
- Version 7.9.2 is affected.
- Version 7.3.5 is affected.
- Version 7.5.5 is affected.
- Version 7.11.1 is affected.
- Version 7.9.21 is affected.
- Version 7.10.2 is affected.
- Version 24.1.1 is affected.
- Version 7.6.3 is affected.
- Version 7.3.6 is affected.
- Version 7.11.2 is affected.
- Version 24.2.1 is affected.
- Version 24.1.2 is affected.
- Version 24.2.11 is affected.
- Version 24.3.1 is affected.
- Version 7.8.23 is affected.
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.