CVE-2025-20238
CVE-2025-20238 is a medium-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0. 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-1244.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.0)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (3rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-24934
- Weakness: CWE-1244
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of commands that are supplied by the user. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to a device and submitting crafted input for specific commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system as root.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-20238?
- A vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of commands that are supplied by the user. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to a device and submitting crafted input for specific commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system as root.
- How severe is CVE-2025-20238?
- CVE-2025-20238 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.0, 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 none.
- Is CVE-2025-20238 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2025-20238?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- Does CVE-2025-20238 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2025-20238 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-24934.
- When was CVE-2025-20238 published?
- CVE-2025-20238 was published on 2025-08-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
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