Cisco Identity Services Engine enableStrongSwanTunnel Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

July 17th, 2025
ZDI-25-607 ZDI-CAN-26481

CVE ID

CVE-2025-20337

CVSS Score

9.8 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors

Cisco

Affected Products

Identity Services Engine

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Cisco Identity Services Engine. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the enableStrongSwanTunnel method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in deserialization of untrusted data. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the iseadminportal user.

Additional Details

Cisco has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-unauth-rce-ZAd2GnJ6

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2025-05-06 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2025-07-17 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2025-07-17 - Advisory Updated

Credit

Kentaro Kawane of GMO Cybersecurity by Ierae

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