CVE-2025-20287 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM), a network management solution widely used by service providers and enterprises to manage large-scale network infrastructures. The vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of EPNM and allows an authenticated remote attacker with valid Config Manager credentials to upload arbitrary files to the affected system. This issue arises due to improper validation of file types during upload operations via a specific API endpoint. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can bypass restrictions on file types and upload potentially malicious files, which could be leveraged to alter system behavior, inject malicious code, or facilitate further attacks within the network management environment. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of EPNM, including 7.0.0 through 8.0.0.1 and various minor releases. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges (authenticated access) but no user interaction. The impact primarily affects integrity, as the attacker can modify or add files, but does not directly impact confidentiality or availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date. The vulnerability demands that attackers have valid credentials, which limits exploitation to insiders or those who have compromised legitimate accounts. However, given the critical role of EPNM in network operations, the ability to upload arbitrary files could enable attackers to establish persistence, manipulate configurations, or deploy malware, potentially leading to broader network compromise.

For European organizations, especially telecommunications providers and large enterprises relying on Cisco EPNM for network management, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity of their network management systems. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to introduce malicious files that alter network configurations or enable lateral movement within the network. This could disrupt network operations indirectly by corrupting management data or enabling further attacks on critical infrastructure. The requirement for valid credentials reduces the risk from external attackers but raises concerns about insider threats or credential compromise through phishing or other means. Given the strategic importance of telecommunications infrastructure in Europe, exploitation could have cascading effects on service availability and security. Additionally, regulatory frameworks such as the NIS Directive and GDPR impose strict requirements on network security and incident reporting, meaning that exploitation could lead to regulatory scrutiny and financial penalties. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk, but the operational impact could be higher depending on the attacker's objectives and the organization's security posture.

1. Immediate patching: Although no patch links are provided in the data, organizations should monitor Cisco advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. 2. Credential management: Strengthen authentication mechanisms for EPNM access by enforcing strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and regular credential audits to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 3. Access control: Limit Config Manager privileges strictly to necessary personnel and implement role-based access controls to minimize the number of users who can upload files. 4. File upload monitoring: Implement monitoring and logging of file upload activities on the EPNM interface to detect anomalous or unauthorized uploads promptly. 5. Network segmentation: Isolate the EPNM management interface from general network access, restricting it to trusted management networks and VPNs to reduce exposure. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare incident response plans that include scenarios involving unauthorized file uploads and potential lateral movement to ensure rapid containment and remediation. 7. Regular security assessments: Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on management interfaces to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.