CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-20261NVD status: Deferred

Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed): Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-20261 is a high-severity improper restriction of communication channel to intended endpoints vulnerability in Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed) from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed) versions: 4.0(1a); 3.2(3n); 4.1(1a), 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 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed) you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoCisco Unified Computing System (Managed)4.0(1a); 3.2(3n); 4.1(1a); 4.1(1b); 4.0(4h); 4.1(1c); 3.2(3k); 3.2(2c); and 32 more rangesNot stated
CiscoCisco Unified Computing System (Standalone)4.0(2g); 3.1(2i); 3.1(1d); 4.0(4i); 4.1(1c); 4.0(2c); 4.0(1e); 4.0(2h); and 32 more rangesNot stated

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
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).

Official description

A vulnerability in the SSH connection handling of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) for Cisco UCS B-Series, UCS C-Series, UCS S-Series, and UCS X-Series Servers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access internal services with elevated privileges. This vulnerability is due to insufficient restrictions on access to internal services. An attacker with a valid user account could exploit this vulnerability by using crafted syntax when connecting to the Cisco IMC of an affected device through SSH. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access internal services with elevated privileges, which may allow unauthorized modifications to the system, including the possibility of creating new administrator accounts on the affected device.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints

The product establishes a communication channel to (or from) an endpoint for privileged or protected operations, but it does not properly ensure that it is communicating with the correct endpoint.

More Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints vulnerabilities (CWE-923)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed)

All Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed) vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints vulnerabilities

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