# CVE-2025-20188: Cisco IOS XE Software - Hardcoded Credentials

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2025-20188 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2025-20188

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 10.0
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Cisco IOS XE
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials)

## Description

A vulnerability in the Out-of-Band Access Point (AP) Image Download feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system.

 This vulnerability is due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. 

 Note: For exploitation to be successful, the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature must be enabled on the device. It is not enabled by default.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2025-20188](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2025-20188) is a critical vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers, impacting the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature. It enables unauthenticated remote attackers to upload arbitrary files due to the use of a hard-coded token, potentially leading to command execution with root privileges if the vulnerable feature is enabled.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 6th of June 2025.

Insights from the CrowdSec network reveal that the attackers trying to exploit CVE-2025-20188 are composed of a fairly even mix of opportunistic and targeted actors. Some attackers employ preliminary reconnaissance, while others use indiscriminate scanning.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2025-20188 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Observed exploitation attempts target URLs containing the path `/ap_spec_rec/upload/`, and often involve attempts to upload malicious files to compromised devices.

## Timeline

- 2025-05-07: CVE Published. CVE-2025-20188 is published to NVD.
- 2025-06-06: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2025-20188 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-06-06: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2025-20188 for the first time.

## References

- https://horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/cisco-ios-xe-wlc-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-cve-2025-20188-analysis/
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2025/CVE-2025-20188.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2025-20188) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2025-20188. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.