Arbitrary file upload in Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software

1) Use of hard-coded credentials

EUVDB-ID: #VU108779

Risk: Critical

CVSSv4.0: 8.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Red]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-20188

CWE-ID: CWE-798 - Use of Hard-coded Credentials

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain full access to vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) within the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature. A remote unauthenticated attacker can send specially crafted HTTPS requests to the AP image download interface and upload arbitrary files to the system. 

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in full system compromise.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software for WLCs and have the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature enabled:

• Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud
• Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches
• Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
• Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst APs

Vulnerable software versions

Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud: All versions

Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller: All versions

Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers: All versions

Cisco IOS XE: 17.14.1

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:h:cisco_systems:catalyst_9800-cl_wireless_controllers_for_cloud:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:h:cisco_systems:catalyst_9800_embedded_wireless_controller:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:h:cisco_systems:catalyst_9800_series_wireless_controllers:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:cisco_systems:cisco_ios_xe:17.14.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-file-uplpd-rHZG9UfC
https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwk33139
https://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCwk33139

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to send a specially crafted request to the affected device in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.