Critical Vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Cloud Deployments
A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Cisco's Identity Services Engine (ISE), affecting cloud deployments on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-20286, has a CVSS score of 9.9, indicating its severe potential impact. The vulnerability arises from static credential generation, which could allow unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive data, execute administrative operations, and disrupt services. Although a proof-of-concept exploit exists, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild.
The vulnerability specifically affects Cisco ISE versions 3.1 to 3.4 across various cloud platforms. It results from improperly generated credentials that are shared among deployments of the same software release and cloud platform. This issue is particularly concerning for cloud-based Primary Administration nodes, as on-premises nodes remain unaffected. Cisco has released patches to address this flaw and recommends immediate action to mitigate potential risks.
Organizations using affected versions of Cisco ISE are urged to apply the security patches promptly. In the absence of workarounds, Cisco suggests restricting traffic to authorized administrators or resetting user passwords using the "application reset-config ise" command, though this will revert the system to factory settings. This advisory underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and monitoring cloud deployments for vulnerabilities.
Threats and Vulnerabilities
The primary threat posed by CVE-2025-20286 is unauthorized access due to static credential vulnerabilities in Cisco ISE cloud deployments. This flaw allows attackers to extract user credentials and potentially access other cloud environments through unsecured ports. The impact includes unauthorized data access, execution of limited administrative tasks, configuration changes, and service disruptions. The vulnerability affects AWS versions 3.1 to 3.4, Azure versions 3.2 to 3.4, and OCI versions 3.2 to 3.4.
The existence of a proof-of-concept exploit heightens the risk, although no active exploitation has been reported. The vulnerability is specific to cloud-based Primary Administration nodes, with on-premises nodes remaining secure. The static credentials are unique to each release and platform but are not interchangeable across different platforms or releases.
Client Impact
Clients utilizing affected versions of Cisco ISE in cloud environments may face significant operational disruptions if the vulnerability is exploited. Potential impacts include unauthorized data breaches, financial losses due to service interruptions, and reputational damage from compromised systems. Organizations must assess their cloud deployments and apply necessary patches to mitigate these risks.
From a compliance perspective, failure to address this vulnerability could lead to regulatory challenges, audits, or penalties, especially for industries with stringent data protection requirements. Ensuring that security patches are applied promptly is crucial for maintaining compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Mitigations
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-20286, clients should take the following actions:
- Apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco for affected ISE versions.
- Restrict network traffic to authorized administrators only.
- Consider running the "application reset-config ise" command to reset user passwords, noting that this will restore factory settings.
- Regularly monitor cloud deployments for unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.
- Review and update access control policies to ensure only necessary personnel have administrative privileges.
Implementing these measures will help reduce the risk of exploitation and protect sensitive data within cloud environments. Clients should remain vigilant and continue monitoring for any updates or additional guidance from Cisco regarding this vulnerability.
1898 & Co. Response
1898 & Co. is actively addressing the current threat landscape by offering specialized services to help clients secure their cloud deployments against emerging vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-20286. Our team provides tailored security assessments and patch management solutions to ensure that clients' systems are protected against known threats.
We are updating our security protocols to incorporate the latest threat intelligence and collaborating with industry allies to enhance our understanding of evolving cyber risks. Our ongoing research efforts focus on identifying potential vulnerabilities in cloud environments and developing effective mitigation strategies.
Through case studies and real-world examples, we demonstrate successful mitigations that have helped clients safeguard their systems against similar threats. Our commitment to providing high-quality cybersecurity services ensures that clients receive the support they need to navigate complex security challenges.