Root command execution via malicious backup restore
Published Apr 16, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Command execution in unpatched Cisco Secure Network Analytics 7.5.0 through 7.5.2 allows remote authenticated users to gain root shell access. The web-based management interface restores attacker-crafted device backups without sufficient integrity checks, allowing embedded content to execute operating-system commands. Exploitation requires valid administrative credentials and a backup restore; the reported consequence is root shell access, not a service interruption.
Summary
What happened
Command execution in unpatched Cisco Secure Network Analytics 7.5.0 through 7.5.2 allows remote authenticated users to gain root shell access. The web-based management interface restores attacker-crafted device backups without sufficient integrity checks, allowing embedded content to execute operating-system commands. Exploitation requires valid administrative credentials and a backup restore; the reported consequence is root shell access, not a service interruption.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-20178
- Published
- Apr 16, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- ClamAV
- Product
- Cisco Secure Network Analytics
- Classifications
- CWE-347, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 16, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=7.5.0
- Affected versionversion=7.5.1
- Affected versionversion=7.5.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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