Published: 2025-11-13T17:15:45.817
Overview
A critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-20349, has been discovered in the REST API of Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center). This vulnerability could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands within a restricted container as the root user, potentially leading to significant system compromise.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within REST API request parameters. An attacker with valid credentials for a user account possessing at least the Observer role can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious API request. This crafted request can inject arbitrary commands, which are then executed within a restricted container with root privileges. The lack of proper input sanitization allows the attacker to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized control.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) assigns this vulnerability a score of 6.3, indicating a MEDIUM severity. This score reflects the potential for significant impact given the ability to execute commands as root, coupled with the requirement for authentication.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-20349 can have severe consequences. An attacker gaining root access within a container could potentially:
- Exfiltrate sensitive data stored within the Catalyst Center.
- Modify system configurations, leading to denial of service or other operational disruptions.
- Pivot to other systems within the network if the container has network access.
- Compromise the integrity of the Catalyst Center and its managed devices.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
Cisco has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability and providing guidance on affected versions and remediation steps. Users of Cisco Catalyst Center are strongly advised to take the following actions:
- Review the Cisco Security Advisory: Carefully review the official Cisco Security Advisory (linked below) to determine if your specific version of Catalyst Center is affected.
- Apply the Recommended Patch: Upgrade your Cisco Catalyst Center to the patched version(s) indicated in the security advisory. This is the primary and recommended mitigation strategy.
- Implement Workarounds (if available): If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, check the advisory for any available temporary workarounds that can reduce the risk of exploitation. However, these workarounds should be considered temporary measures until a full patch can be applied.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Closely monitor network traffic for any suspicious API requests or unusual activity originating from or directed towards the Cisco Catalyst Center.
- Restrict Access: Limit access to the Catalyst Center REST API to only authorized users and systems. Ensure that strong authentication and authorization mechanisms are in place.
