CVE-2025-20272 is a medium-severity SQL injection vulnerability affecting multiple versions of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands within a subset of REST APIs, allowing an authenticated attacker with low privileges to perform blind SQL injection attacks. Specifically, insufficient validation of user-supplied input in these APIs enables an attacker to craft malicious requests that manipulate backend SQL queries. Successful exploitation does not require user interaction but does require authentication with low privileges, which lowers the barrier compared to vulnerabilities needing administrative access. The impact of a successful attack is primarily the unauthorized disclosure of data from certain database tables on the affected device. The vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, nor does it affect system availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and limited confidentiality impact. The vulnerability affects a wide range of versions from 1.x through 8.x, indicating a long-standing issue across many releases. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided in the source data, suggesting organizations should monitor Cisco advisories for updates. The vulnerability's presence in network management software that orchestrates and monitors network infrastructure makes it a concern for organizations relying on Cisco EPNM for operational management and network visibility.

For European organizations, the impact centers on potential unauthorized access to sensitive network management data stored within Cisco EPNM databases. This data could include configuration details, network topology, device inventories, and possibly credentials or tokens used within the management environment. Disclosure of such information could aid attackers in further reconnaissance or lateral movement within the network. While the vulnerability does not allow direct data modification or service disruption, the confidentiality breach could lead to secondary attacks targeting critical infrastructure. Given that many large enterprises, telecom providers, and government agencies in Europe use Cisco network management solutions, the risk is non-trivial. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insiders or attackers who have already compromised low-privilege credentials, but phishing or credential theft remain common attack vectors. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against strategic sectors such as telecommunications, finance, and critical infrastructure operators, where Cisco EPNM is deployed for network orchestration. The medium severity rating suggests that while immediate catastrophic impact is unlikely, the vulnerability represents a meaningful risk to confidentiality and should be addressed promptly to maintain network security posture and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting access to the affected REST APIs to trusted users only and enforcing strict authentication and authorization controls, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users with access to Cisco EPNM. 2. Network segmentation should be employed to isolate management interfaces from general user networks and the internet, minimizing exposure. 3. Monitor logs and API usage patterns for anomalous queries or unusual access attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Apply the principle of least privilege rigorously, ensuring users have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their roles. 5. Regularly update and patch Cisco EPNM software as Cisco releases fixes addressing this vulnerability. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should subscribe to Cisco security advisories and promptly test and deploy updates. 6. Conduct internal security assessments and penetration tests focusing on API endpoints to detect potential injection points. 7. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways capable of detecting and blocking SQL injection patterns targeting management APIs. 8. Educate administrators and users about the risks of credential compromise and enforce strong password policies to reduce the risk of unauthorized authenticated access.