CVE-2025-20332 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) software versions ranging from 2.7.0 p8 through 3.4.0, including multiple patch levels. The flaw resides in the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE, specifically due to insufficient server-side validation of administrator permissions. An authenticated remote attacker with valid read-only administrator credentials can exploit this vulnerability by crafting and submitting a specially designed HTTP request to the affected system. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to modify descriptions of files on a particular page within the management interface. Although the attacker requires valid credentials with read-only privileges, the vulnerability effectively escalates their ability to alter configuration metadata, which should normally be restricted. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability directly, and no user interaction is required beyond authentication. Cisco ISE is a critical network policy management and access control solution widely deployed in enterprise environments to enforce security policies, manage network access, and provide visibility. The vulnerability’s root cause is a lack of proper server-side authorization checks, allowing privilege escalation within the administrative interface. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links were provided in the source information, indicating that organizations should proactively monitor Cisco advisories for updates. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting the limited impact scope and the requirement for authenticated access.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant in environments where Cisco ISE is deployed to manage network access and enforce security policies. Unauthorized modification of configuration descriptions, while seemingly minor, could facilitate further misconfigurations or hide malicious changes, potentially undermining network security posture. Attackers with read-only credentials could leverage this flaw to manipulate administrative metadata, which might be used as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks or to cover tracks during an intrusion. Given Cisco ISE’s role in controlling network access, any compromise or misconfiguration could lead to unauthorized network access or policy bypass, impacting confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. The medium severity score suggests that while the immediate damage is limited, the vulnerability could be exploited as part of a larger attack chain. European organizations in critical infrastructure, finance, telecommunications, and government sectors that rely heavily on Cisco ISE for network policy enforcement are particularly at risk. The requirement for valid credentials limits exposure to insider threats or attackers who have already compromised low-privilege accounts, emphasizing the importance of strong credential management and monitoring.

1. Immediately review and restrict read-only administrator credentials to only trusted personnel and systems, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual activity. 2. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 3. Monitor Cisco ISE logs and network traffic for anomalous HTTP requests targeting the management interface, especially those attempting to modify configuration metadata. 4. Segment the management interface network access to limit exposure only to authorized administrators and management stations. 5. Regularly audit and review configuration changes within Cisco ISE to detect unauthorized modifications promptly. 6. Stay updated with Cisco security advisories and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. 7. Consider implementing additional compensating controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAF) that can detect and block crafted HTTP requests targeting the management interface. 8. Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing focused on administrative interfaces to identify and remediate similar authorization weaknesses.