CVE-2025-20272 Overview
CVE-2025-20272 is a blind SQL injection vulnerability affecting a subset of REST APIs in Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM). The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input passed to backend database queries. An authenticated, low-privileged, remote attacker can exploit this by sending crafted requests to an affected API endpoint. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to read data from database tables that would otherwise be inaccessible at their privilege level. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with low privileges can extract sensitive data from Cisco Prime Infrastructure and EPNM database tables via blind SQL injection against REST API endpoints.
Affected Products
- Cisco Prime Infrastructure (including 3.10.6 and 3.10.6 Security Update 01)
- Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM)
- Cisco EPNM version 8.1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-16 - CVE-2025-20272 published to NVD
- 2026-06-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-20272
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in a subset of REST API endpoints exposed by Cisco Prime Infrastructure and EPNM. These endpoints accept parameters from authenticated users and incorporate them into backend SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Because responses do not directly echo query results, exploitation follows a blind SQL injection pattern where attackers infer data through boolean conditions or time-based delays.
Successful exploitation is limited to confidentiality impact. The attacker can view data in some database tables but cannot modify records or disrupt service availability. Authentication is required, but only low-privileged credentials are needed, lowering the barrier for insider threats or attackers who have already obtained valid API tokens.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special SQL characters in user-supplied input passed to affected API handlers [CWE-89]. Instead of using parameterized queries or prepared statements, the affected endpoints concatenate untrusted input into SQL statements. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and append conditional logic.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the management interface exposing the REST API. The attacker first authenticates with any valid low-privilege account. They then submit crafted parameter values containing SQL metacharacters and conditional expressions to a vulnerable endpoint. By observing differences in response behavior — status codes, response timing, or content variations — the attacker reconstructs data byte by byte from targeted database tables. No user interaction is required, and the scope remains unchanged.
Cisco has not published proof-of-concept exploit code, and no public exploit is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-20272
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual volume of authenticated REST API requests from a single account targeting the same endpoint with slight parameter variations
- API request parameters containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, WAITFOR, AND 1=1, or encoded equivalents
- Response time anomalies on specific REST API endpoints indicative of time-based blind SQL injection
- Authentication events for low-privilege accounts followed by sustained API enumeration activity
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect REST API request bodies and query strings for SQL injection signatures
- Enable verbose application-level logging on Cisco Prime Infrastructure and EPNM to capture full API request URIs and parameters
- Correlate authentication logs with API access logs to identify low-privilege accounts issuing high-volume or anomalous queries
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound database query patterns from Prime Infrastructure and EPNM application servers for unusual SELECT activity against sensitive tables
- Alert on repeated HTTP 500 errors or unusual response-time distributions on REST API endpoints
- Track service account and low-privilege user API activity through a centralized SIEM for baseline deviation
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-20272
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed software releases published in the Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-piepnm-bsi-25JJqsbb
- Inventory all deployments of Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco EPNM, including versions 3.10.6, 3.10.6 Security Update 01, and EPNM 8.1.0
- Rotate credentials for all low-privilege API accounts and enforce strong password and token policies
- Restrict network access to the management REST API to trusted administrative subnets only
Patch Information
Cisco has released fixed software addressing CVE-2025-20272. Administrators should consult the Cisco Security Advisory for the exact fixed release matrix corresponding to their deployed version. Cisco has not published workarounds for this vulnerability; upgrading is the recommended remediation path.
Workarounds
- No official workarounds are available per the Cisco Security Advisory; upgrading to a fixed release is required
- Reduce exposure by placing Prime Infrastructure and EPNM management interfaces behind a jump host or VPN accessible only to administrators
- Enforce least-privilege API role assignments and disable unused low-privilege accounts to reduce the attack surface
- Apply network segmentation to isolate network management platforms from general user networks
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.