CVE-2025-20281 in Cisco Identity Services Engine: exploited now
Attackers are exploiting CVE-2025-20281 in Cisco Identity Services Engine. CISA has listed it as known exploited since 28 July 2025.
| Product | Cisco Identity Services Engine |
|---|---|
| Known exploited since | 28 July 2025 |
| Ransomware use | Not recorded |
| EU vulnerability database | EUVD-2025-19167 |
| Sources | NVD · CISA KEV |
What it means
Attackers have used this vulnerability in real attacks. An unpatched Cisco Identity Services Engine that can be reached from the internet is exposed to them.
What to do
- Find every system running Cisco Identity Services Engine, starting with those reachable from the internet.
- Apply the vendor's fix, or take the system off the internet until you can.
- Check the system for signs that it was reached before the fix.
How Vardion finds it
Wherever a scan or your imported scanner results find CVE-2025-20281, Vardion names the systems affected and puts the fix at the top of the list.
Know before an attacker does
Vardion checks your servers, websites, domains and leaked staff accounts on the schedule you set and tells you what to fix first, in plain words.
From CISA's known exploited vulnerabilities catalogue as it stood on 4 October 2026.