Cisco Security Advisory
Cisco IOS XE Software Secure Boot Bypass Vulnerabilities
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CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
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Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with level-15 privileges or an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to an affected device to execute persistent code at boot time and break the chain of trust.
These vulnerabilities are due improper validation of software packages. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by placing a crafted file into a specific location on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute persistent code on the underlying operating system.
Because these vulnerabilities allow an attacker to bypass a major security feature of a device, Cisco has raised the Security Impact Rating (SIR) of this advisory from Medium to High.
Cisco has released software updates that address these vulnerabilities. There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-secboot-UqFD8AvCThis advisory is part of the September 2025 release of the Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: September 2025 Semiannual Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.
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Vulnerable Products
These vulnerabilities affect the following Cisco products if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software.
The following table lists the affected hardware platform and first affected software release.
Cisco Platform First Affected Release 1000 Series Integrated Services Routers 17.8.1 1100 Terminal Services Gateways 17.7.1 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers 17.3.1 8100 Series Secure Routers 17.15.1 8400 Series Secure Routers 17.12.1 ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers 17.7.1 C8375-E-G2 Platforms 17.15.3 Catalyst 8200 Series Edge Platforms 17.8.1 Catalyst 8300 Series Edge Platforms 17.8.1 Catalyst 8500L Edge Platforms 17.8.1 Catalyst 9200 Series Switches 17.8.1 Catalyst ESS9300 Embedded Series Switch 17.13.1 Catalyst IE3100 Heavy Duty Series Switches 17.17.1 Catalyst IE3100 Rugged Series Switches 17.12.1 Catalyst IR1100 Rugged Series Routers 17.13.1 Catalyst IR8100 Heavy Duty Series Routers 17.4.1 Catalyst IR8300 Rugged Series Routers 17.7.1 Catalyst IE9300 Rugged Series Switches 17.13.1 IE3500 Heavy Duty Series Switches 17.17.1 IE3500 Rugged Series Switches 17.17.1 VG410 Analog Voice Gateways 17.17.1 For more information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by these vulnerabilities.
Cisco has confirmed that these vulnerabilities do not affect the following Cisco products:
- IOS Software
- IOS XR Software
- NX-OS Software
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There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
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Cisco considers any workarounds and mitigations to be temporary solutions until an upgrade to a fixed software release is available. To fully remediate these vulnerabilities and avoid future exposure as described in this advisory, Cisco strongly recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software indicated in this advisory.
Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software
To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities that are described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).
To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to determine whether a release is affected by any Cisco Security Advisory. To use the form, follow these steps:
- Choose which advisories the tool will search-only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or all advisories.
- Enter a release number-for example, 15.9(3)M2 or 17.3.3.
- Click Check.
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The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerabilities that are described in this advisory.
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CVE-2025-20313: This vulnerability was found during internal security testing by Andrew Kim of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG).
CVE-2025-20314: This vulnerability was found during internal security testing by Arthur Vidineyev of the Cisco ASIG.
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 2.0 Added IE9300, ESS9300, IE3100, IE3100H, IE3500, IE3500H. Removed IE3300, ESS3300. Vulnerable Products Final 2025-OCT-15 1.0 Initial public release. - Final 2025-SEP-24
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SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool. Please note that customers may download only software that was procured from Cisco directly or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner and for which the license is still valid.
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for the relevant Cisco products to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution. In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER DETAILS
CISCO DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, CISCO DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS INFORMATION. THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.
Copies or summaries of the information contained in this Security Advisory may lack important information or contain factual errors. Customers are advised to visit the Cisco Security Advisories page for the most recent version of this Security Advisory. The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) assesses only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory. See the Cisco Security Vulnerability Policy for more information.