CVE-2025-20144: Cisco IOS XR Software Access Control List Bypass Vulnerability

Published Mar 12, 2025

Updated

A vulnerability in the hybrid access control list (ACL) processing of IPv4 packets in Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass a configured ACL. This vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of packets when a specific configuration of the hybrid ACL exists. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by attempting to send traffic through an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass a configured ACL on the affected device. For more information, see the section of this advisory. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Affected Software

82 affected components

Cisco IOS XR Software

All of the following

Any of the following

Cisco IOS XR=6.5.1

Cisco IOS XR=6.5.2

Cisco IOS XR=6.5.3

Cisco IOS XR=6.5.92

Cisco IOS XR=6.5.93

Cisco IOS XR=6.6.1

Cisco IOS XR=6.6.2

Cisco IOS XR=6.6.3

Cisco IOS XR=6.6.4

Cisco IOS XR=6.6.25

Cisco IOS XR=7.0.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.0.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.0.90

Cisco IOS XR=7.1.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.1.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.2.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.2.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.3

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.4

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.5

Cisco IOS XR=7.3.6

Cisco IOS XR=7.4.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.4.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.5.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.5.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.5.3

Cisco IOS XR=7.5.4

Cisco IOS XR=7.5.5

Cisco IOS XR=7.6.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.6.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.7.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.7.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.7.21

Cisco IOS XR=7.8.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.8.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.8.22

Cisco IOS XR=7.9.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.9.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.10.1

Cisco IOS XR=7.10.2

Cisco IOS XR=7.11.1

Any of the following

Cisco Ncs 540-12z20g-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540-12z20g-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540-24q2c2dd-sys

Cisco Ncs 540-24q8l2dd-sys

Cisco Ncs 540-24z8q2c-sys

Cisco Ncs 540-28z4c-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540-28z4c-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540-6z14s-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540-6z18g-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540-6z18g-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540-acc-sys

Cisco Ncs 540-fh-agg

Cisco Ncs 540-fh-csr-sys

Cisco Ncs 540x-12z16g-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540x-12z16g-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-16z4g8q2c-a

Cisco Ncs 540x-16z4g8q2c-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-16z8q2c-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-4z14g2q-a

Cisco Ncs 540x-4z14g2q-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-6z18g-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540x-6z18g-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-8z16g-sys-a

Cisco Ncs 540x-8z16g-sys-d

Cisco Ncs 540x-acc-sys

Cisco Ncs 5501

Cisco Ncs 5501-se

Cisco Ncs 5502

Cisco Ncs 5502-se

Cisco Ncs 5508

Cisco Ncs 5516

Cisco Ncs 560-4

Cisco Ncs 560-7

Cisco Ncs 57b1-5dse-sys

Cisco Ncs 57b1-6d24-sys

Cisco Ncs 57c1-48q6-sys

Cisco Ncs 57c3-mod-sys

Cisco Ncs 57d2-18dd-sys

Event History

Mar 12, 2025

CVE Published

via MITRE·04:12 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·04:12 PM

DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·04:15 PM

DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-20144?

CVE-2025-20144 has been assigned a high severity rating due to its potential to allow unauthenticated remote access to bypass security controls.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20144?

To fix CVE-2025-20144, you should apply the latest patches provided by Cisco for affected versions of IOS XR Software.

Which versions of Cisco IOS XR Software are affected by CVE-2025-20144?

CVE-2025-20144 affects multiple versions of Cisco IOS XR Software, particularly those configured with specific hybrid ACL settings.

What is the impact of exploiting CVE-2025-20144?

Exploiting CVE-2025-20144 allows an attacker to bypass configured access control lists, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network resources.

Is authentication required to exploit CVE-2025-20144?

No, CVE-2025-20144 can be exploited by an unauthenticated remote attacker, making it particularly dangerous.