A critical vulnerability in **Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software** (affecting versions **7.0.7 and 7.7.0**) exposes organizations using **RADIUS authentication** for web-based or SSH management interfaces to remote attacks. The flaw stems from improper input validation during authentication, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads when submitting credentials to the RADIUS server. Successful exploitation grants **high-privilege command execution**, potentially enabling attackers to **bypass security controls, manipulate firewall configurations, or pivot into deeper network infiltration**.While no active exploits or data breaches have been reported yet, the vulnerability poses a severe risk if left unpatched. Attackers could leverage it to **compromise administrative credentials, alter security policies, or exfiltrate sensitive data** passing through the firewall. The urgency of patching is underscored by Cisco’s warning, as unmitigated exposure could lead to **lateral movement within corporate networks**, escalating into broader system compromises. Organizations relying on FMC for network authentication are advised to apply the patch immediately to prevent potential **unauthorized access or privilege escalation** by threat actors.
Source: https://www.csoonline.com/article/4040564/warning-patch-this-hole-in-cisco-secure-fmc-fast.html
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/cisco
"id": "cis834081625",
"linkid": "cisco",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "8/2025",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "3",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with internal employee data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Organizations using Cisco FMC '
'Software (versions 7.0.7 or '
'7.7.0) with RADIUS '
'authentication enabled',
'industry': 'Networking Hardware/Software',
'location': 'San Jose, California, USA',
'name': 'Cisco Systems',
'size': 'Large (Enterprise)',
'type': 'Corporation'}],
'attack_vector': ['Remote', 'Network-based', 'Crafted Input Injection'],
'customer_advisories': ['Public security advisory with patch instructions'],
'description': 'Admins using Cisco Systems Secure Firewall Management Center '
'(FMC) Software for network login authentication are being '
'warned to quickly patch a major vulnerability (CVE not '
'explicitly mentioned) that could allow a remote attacker to '
'breach security. The flaw exists in deployments configured '
'for RADIUS authentication for the web-based management '
'interface, SSH management, or both. The vulnerability stems '
'from improper handling of user input during the '
'authentication phase, enabling an attacker to send crafted '
'credentials to the RADIUS server. Successful exploitation '
'could grant high-privilege command execution.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Potential reputational damage due to '
'unpatched critical vulnerability in '
'security product'],
'operational_impact': ['Potential unauthorized high-privilege '
'access to firewall management systems',
'Risk of lateral movement within network'],
'systems_affected': ['Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center '
'(FMC) Software (versions 7.0.7, 7.7.0)']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['RADIUS authentication interface in '
'FMC'],
'high_value_targets': ['Firewall management '
'credentials',
'Network infrastructure '
'control']},
'investigation_status': 'Vulnerability disclosed; patch available',
'lessons_learned': ['Critical importance of patching network security '
'management systems promptly',
'Risks associated with improper input validation in '
'authentication protocols',
'Need for defense-in-depth when using RADIUS for '
'administrative access'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Software patch to fix '
'input handling',
'Enhanced authentication '
'validation mechanisms'],
'root_causes': ['Improper input validation during '
'RADIUS authentication',
'Lack of sufficient privilege '
'separation in authentication '
'flow']},
'recommendations': ["Immediately apply Cisco's patch for affected FMC "
'versions (7.0.7, 7.7.0)',
'Review and harden RADIUS authentication configurations',
'Implement network segmentation for firewall management '
'interfaces',
'Enable multi-factor authentication for FMC access where '
'possible',
'Monitor authentication logs for anomalous activity'],
'references': [{'source': 'Cisco Security Advisory'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Public security advisory released by '
'Cisco'],
'containment_measures': ['Urgent patching advisory issued by '
'Cisco'],
'enhanced_monitoring': ['Recommended: Monitor for unauthorized '
'access attempts targeting FMC '
'interfaces'],
'remediation_measures': ['Apply software updates to affected FMC '
'versions',
'Review RADIUS authentication '
'configurations']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['Cisco customers using FMC with RADIUS '
'authentication'],
'title': 'Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) RADIUS Authentication '
'Bypass Vulnerability',
'type': ['Vulnerability Exploitation',
'Authentication Bypass',
'Privilege Escalation'],
'vulnerability_exploited': {'description': 'Improper handling of user input '
'during RADIUS authentication in '
'Cisco FMC Software (affects '
'releases 7.0.7 and 7.7.0 only).',
'severity': "Critical (implied by 'major "
"vulnerability' and high-privilege "
'impact)'}}