Cisco Data Center Network Manager: Key Exchange without Entity Authentication
CVE-2025-20163 is a high-severity key exchange without entity authentication vulnerability in Cisco Data Center Network Manager from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Data Center Network Manager versions: 11.2(1); 7.0(2); 10.3(2)IPFM, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Nexus Dashboard to 3.2\(2f\) or a later version.
- Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco Data Center Network Manager | 11.2(1); 7.0(2); 10.3(2)IPFM; 10.1(1); 7.2(3); 7.2(2); 7.2(1); 11.0(1); and 31 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Nexus Dashboard | 3.1(1k); 3.1(1l); 3.2(1e); 3.2(1i); 3.3(1a); 3.3(1b); 3.3(2b); 4.0(1i); and 1 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Nexus Dashboard | before 3.2\(2f\) | 3.2\(2f\) |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A vulnerability in the SSH implementation of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to impersonate Cisco NDFC-managed devices. This vulnerability is due to insufficient SSH host key validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by performing a machine-in-the-middle attack on SSH connections to Cisco NDFC-managed devices, which could allow an attacker to intercept this traffic. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to impersonate a managed device and capture user credentials.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Key Exchange without Entity Authentication
The product performs a key exchange with an actor without verifying the identity of that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that proper authentication is included in the system design.
- Understand and properly implement all checks necessary to ensure the identity of entities involved in encrypted communications.
More Key Exchange without Entity Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-322)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Data Center Network Manager
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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