Critical Cisco ISE Vulnerability on Cloud Platforms (CVE-2025-20286) - How to Protect Your Network

A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Cisco's Identity Services Engine (ISE) when deployed on major cloud platforms, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This flaw, designated as CVE-2025-20286, carries a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 9.9 out of 10, indicating its severity. The vulnerability arises from the generation of identical login credentials across different instances of Cisco ISE on the same software version and cloud platform, leading to potential unauthorized access and system compromise.

Understanding the Vulnerability​

Cisco ISE is a comprehensive, policy-based access control solution that enables organizations to enforce security policies for endpoint devices and users across wired, wireless, and VPN connections. When deployed in cloud environments, Cisco ISE is intended to provide the same level of security and functionality as on-premises deployments.
However, researchers have discovered that during the installation process on cloud platforms, Cisco ISE generates static, identical login credentials for different instances running the same software version. This means that multiple deployments share the same administrative usernames and passwords, creating a significant security risk. An attacker who gains access to one instance's credentials can potentially use them to access other instances, leading to unauthorized data access, configuration changes, and system disruptions.

Affected Versions and Platforms​

The vulnerability affects the following versions of Cisco ISE:

• AWS: Versions 3.1 to 3.4
• Azure: Versions 3.2 to 3.4
• OCI: Versions 3.2 to 3.4

Organizations utilizing these versions on the specified cloud platforms are at risk and should take immediate action to mitigate potential threats.

Potential Impact​

Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to:

• Access Sensitive Data: Unauthorized users could view confidential information stored within the Cisco ISE instances.
• Modify System Settings: Attackers could alter configurations, potentially disrupting network security policies and access controls.
• Disrupt Services: Malicious actors could cause system outages or degrade performance by modifying critical settings or introducing malicious configurations.

The shared nature of the credentials means that an attacker with access to one instance can potentially compromise multiple instances, amplifying the potential damage.

Mitigation Measures​

Cisco has acknowledged the vulnerability and provided several mitigation strategies:

• Restrict Access via Cloud Security Groups: Configure cloud security groups to allow access only from trusted IP addresses associated with administrative users. This approach limits exposure by ensuring that only authorized administrators can reach the Cisco ISE instance.
• Configure IP Address Allowlists in Cisco ISE: Within the Cisco ISE interface, administrators can specify which IP addresses are permitted to access the system, further restricting potential attack vectors.
• Reset User Passwords for New Installations: For new deployments, execute the command application reset-config ISE on the node with the Primary Administration persona in the cloud. This action resets user passwords, mitigating the risk associated with default credentials. Secondary nodes do not require this reset.

It's important to note that while these measures can reduce the risk, they do not fully eliminate the vulnerability. Organizations should assess the applicability and effectiveness of these mitigations within their specific environments.

Recommendations for Organizations​

Given the severity of CVE-2025-20286, organizations should take the following steps:

• Immediate Assessment: Determine if your Cisco ISE deployments are affected by reviewing the versions and platforms in use.
• Implement Mitigation Measures: Apply the recommended mitigations provided by Cisco to reduce the risk of exploitation.
• Monitor for Updates: Stay informed about patches or updates from Cisco that address this vulnerability.
• Review Access Controls: Regularly audit and update access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative access to critical systems.
• Enhance Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual activity within Cisco ISE instances.

Broader Implications​

This vulnerability underscores the complexities and challenges associated with deploying security solutions in cloud environments. While cloud platforms offer scalability and flexibility, they also introduce unique security considerations that differ from traditional on-premises deployments.
Organizations must recognize that cloud deployments require meticulous configuration and continuous monitoring to maintain security. The reliance on default settings or assumptions that cloud deployments are inherently secure can lead to significant vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by CVE-2025-20286.

Conclusion​

The discovery of CVE-2025-20286 in Cisco ISE deployments on cloud platforms serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure configuration practices and vigilant monitoring in cloud environments. Organizations must proactively address such vulnerabilities by implementing recommended mitigations, staying informed about vendor updates, and continuously evaluating their security posture.
By taking these steps, organizations can better protect their systems and data from potential threats, ensuring the integrity and availability of their network security solutions.

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Source: techzine.eu Cisco warns of vulnerability in cloud passwords