CVE-2025-20344 is a path traversal vulnerability found in the backup restore functionality of Cisco Nexus Dashboard, a network management platform widely used for managing Cisco Nexus switches and data center infrastructure. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation of the contents within a backup file. An attacker who has authenticated access with Administrator privileges can exploit this flaw by restoring a maliciously crafted backup file. This crafted backup can manipulate the pathname used during the restore process, allowing the attacker to traverse directories outside the intended restricted directory. By doing so, the attacker can overwrite or place files in arbitrary locations on the underlying system. The consequence of this path traversal is severe: it can lead to the attacker gaining root-level privileges on the underlying shell of the affected device. This effectively compromises the entire system, allowing full control over the device, including the ability to execute arbitrary commands, modify configurations, or disrupt network operations. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Cisco Nexus Dashboard versions from 1.1(0c) through 4.0(1i), indicating a long-standing issue across multiple releases. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the requirement for high privileges (Administrator access) but with no user interaction needed and network attack vector. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential impact warrants immediate attention. Given the critical role of Cisco Nexus Dashboard in managing data center networks, exploitation could lead to significant operational disruptions and security breaches.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for enterprises and service providers relying on Cisco Nexus Dashboard to manage critical network infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized root access, enabling attackers to manipulate network configurations, intercept or redirect traffic, and potentially disrupt services. This could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network operations. Given the reliance on Cisco Nexus products in financial institutions, telecommunications, government agencies, and large enterprises across Europe, the impact could extend to critical infrastructure and sensitive data exposure. Additionally, the ability to gain root access could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The medium CVSS score may understate the real-world impact in environments where Administrator credentials are compromised or misused. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the widespread use of affected versions increases the attack surface.

1. Immediate patching: Organizations should prioritize updating Cisco Nexus Dashboard to the latest version where this vulnerability is addressed. If patches are not yet available, coordinate with Cisco support for interim mitigations. 2. Restrict Administrator access: Enforce strict access controls and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Administrator accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 3. Backup file validation: Implement additional validation and integrity checks on backup files before restoration, including verifying source and content authenticity. 4. Monitor restore activities: Enable detailed logging and monitoring of backup restore operations to detect unusual or unauthorized restore attempts. 5. Network segmentation: Isolate management interfaces of Cisco Nexus Dashboard from general network access to limit exposure to authenticated attackers. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare to respond to potential exploitation by having forensic and recovery procedures in place, including backups of configurations and system states. 7. Credential hygiene: Regularly audit and rotate Administrator credentials and review access logs for suspicious activities. 8. Vendor communication: Stay informed through Cisco advisories for patches, workarounds, and updates related to this vulnerability.