CVE-2025-20141

What it is

A vulnerability in the handling of specific packets that are punted from a line card to a route processor in Cisco IOS XR Software Release 7.9.2 could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause control plane traffic to stop working on multiple Cisco IOS XR platforms.  This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of packets that are punted to the route processor. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending traffic, which must be handled by the Linux stack on the route processor, to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause control plane traffic to stop working, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited from the same network segment without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2025-03-12 16:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 08:40 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2025-03-12 16:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 08:40 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-770 · Allocation without limits

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Cisco iOS Xr 7.9.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.4

Attack vector

Adjacent network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High