Cisco Patches Critical Vulnerability in Firewall Management Platform

Cisco has disclosed a critical security vulnerability in its Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software that could allow unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands with elevated privileges. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-20265, carries a maximum CVSS score of 10.0 and affects versions 7.0.7 and 7.7.0 of the FMC Software when configured for RADIUS authentication. Cisco stated, "A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands at a high privilege level," indicating the severe implications for organizations relying on this technology. The vulnerability specifically arises from improper handling of user input during the RADIUS authentication process, allowing attackers to send specially crafted credentials that can lead to command injection attacks. Cisco has confirmed that the flaw exists solely in FMC Software versions 7.0.7 and 7.7.0 that utilize RADIUS for web-based management interfaces or SSH management. Organizations using these versions are at risk of complete system compromise, potentially enabling attackers to alter security policies or access sensitive configurations. In response to this critical vulnerability, Cisco has released security updates aimed at mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2025-20265. The company stressed the urgency of these updates, stating that no workarounds are available other than implementing the patches. The vulnerability was discovered by Brandon Sakai during internal security testing, underscoring the necessity for regular security evaluations within enterprise environments. The announcement has raised concerns across the security community, prompting organizations to prioritize the patching of affected systems. Experts are advising immediate deployment of the updates to prevent potential exploitation. Cisco has also addressed several other high-severity vulnerabilities in its products, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining security standards. Organizations are urged to review their configurations and apply the necessary patches to safeguard their networks against potential attacks. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical need for ongoing vigilance and proactive security measures in enterprise environments.