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CVE-2025-20161

Cisco NX-OS Software Command Injection Vulnerability

5.1 Medium

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
High
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
High
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

0.50%Up 0.5 points since Feb 27, 2025
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 5.1

Cisco NX-OS Software Command Injection Vulnerability

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

Record
CVE-2025-20161
CVSS 3.1
5.1 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-78
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2025-5296 5.1

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

Record
EUVD-2025-5296
CVSS 3.1
5.1 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wc27-6x2h-q38w 5.1

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco...

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

Record
GHSA-wc27-6x2h-q38w
CVSS 3.1
5.1 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-78
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 5.1

A vulnerability in the software upgrade process of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker with valid Administrator credentials to execute a command injection attack on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specific elements within a software image. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by installing a crafted image. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.  Note: Administrators should validate the hash of any software image before installation.

Record
CVE-2025-20161
CVSS 3.1
5.1 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-78
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2025-20161 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.1) in Cisco Nx-os Software, published February 26, 2025. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.50%, the 42nd percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

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