How severe is CVE-2025-20143?

CVE-2025-20143 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-20143 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-20143?

CVE-2025-20143 affects Cisco Ios Xr. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20143?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

Does CVE-2025-20143 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-20143 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-6452.

When was CVE-2025-20143 published?

CVE-2025-20143 was published on 2025-03-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-20143

CVE-2025-20143 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xr with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-347.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.7)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (1st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-6452
Weakness: CWE-347
Affected product: Cisco Ios Xr
Published: 2025-03-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with high privileges to bypass the Secure Boot functionality and load unverified software on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have root-system privileges on the affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient verification of modules in the software load process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the loaded binaries to bypass some of the integrity checks that are performed during the booting process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to control the boot configuration, which could enable them to bypass the requirement to run Cisco-signed images or alter the security properties of the running system. Note: This vulnerability affects Cisco IOS XR Software, not the Secure Boot feature. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-20143?: A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with high privileges to bypass the Secure Boot functionality and load unverified software on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have root-system privileges on the affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient verification of modules in the software load process. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the loaded binaries to bypass some of the integrity checks that are performed during the booting process. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to control the boot configuration, which could enable them to bypass the requirement to run Cisco-signed images or alter the security properties of the running system. Note: This vulnerability affects Cisco IOS XR Software, not the Secure Boot feature. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2025-20143?: CVE-2025-20143 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-20143 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2025-20143?: CVE-2025-20143 affects Cisco Ios Xr. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20143?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
Does CVE-2025-20143 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-20143 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-6452.
When was CVE-2025-20143 published?: CVE-2025-20143 was published on 2025-03-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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