Cisco Security Advisory
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CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
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A vulnerability in the Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) feature of Cisco NX-OS Software for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause the IS-IS process to unexpectedly restart, which could cause an affected device to reload.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation when parsing an ingress IS-IS packet. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted IS-IS packet to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the unexpected restart of the IS-IS process, which could cause the affected device to reload, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.
Note: The IS-IS protocol is a routing protocol. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be Layer 2-adjacent to the affected device.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-n39k-isis-dos-JhJA8RfxThis advisory is part of the August 2025 Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: August 2025 Semiannual Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.
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Vulnerable Products
This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running Cisco NX-OS Software, the IS-IS protocol is enabled, and the IS-IS protocol is enabled on at least one interface.
- Nexus 3000 Series Switches
- Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode
For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.
Determine Whether the IS-IS Protocol is Enabled
To determine the IS-IS protocol configuration on a switch, use the show running-config | include isis CLI command. If the configuration commands feature isis, router isis name, and at least one instance of ip router isis name are present, the IS-IS protocol is enabled on at least one interface, as shown in the following example:
# show running-config | include isis
feature isis
.
.
.
ip router isis name
router isis nameNote: This vulnerability can only be exploited by an adjacent IS-IS peer in the UP state. If IS-IS authentication is enabled, the IS-IS peer would need to use a valid key to exploit this vulnerability. To determine the IS-IS peers on a switch, use the show isis adjacency CLI command.
# show isis adjacency
IS-IS process: cody VRF: default
IS-IS adjacency database:
Legend: '!': No AF level connectivity in given topology
System ID SNPA Level State Hold Time Interface
2222.abcd.2002 6879.0913.5ed7 1 UP 00:00:09 Ethernet1/48
2222.abcd.2002 6879.0913.5ed7 2 UP 00:00:09 Ethernet1/48Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:
- Firepower 1000 Series
- Firepower 2100 Series
- Firepower 4100 Series
- Firepower 9300 Security Appliances
- MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches
- Nexus 1000 Virtual Edge for VMware vSphere
- Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
- Nexus 5600 Platform Switches
- Nexus 6000 Series Switches
- Nexus 7000 Series Switches
- Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in ACI mode
- Secure Firewall 3100 Series
- Secure Firewall 4200 Series
- UCS 6300 Series Fabric Interconnects
- UCS 6400 Series Fabric Interconnects
- UCS 6500 Series Fabric Interconnects
- UCS X-Series Direct Fabric Interconnect 9108 100G
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There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability. However, there is a mitigation that addresses this vulnerability.
As a best practice, configure IS-IS area authentication so attackers would have to pass the authentication phase to trigger this vulnerability. For more information on IS-IS authentication, see the Configure IS-IS chapter of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Unicast Routing Configuration Guide.
While this mitigation has been deployed and was proven successful in a test environment, customers should determine the applicability and effectiveness in their own environment and under their own use conditions. Customers should be aware that any workaround or mitigation that is implemented may negatively impact the functionality or performance of their network based on intrinsic customer deployment scenarios and limitations. Customers should not deploy any workarounds or mitigations before first evaluating the applicability to their own environment and any impact to such environment.
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Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.
Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.htmlAdditionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.
The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
Customers Without Service Contracts
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html
Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Cisco NX-OS Software
To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco NX-OS Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).
To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to search for vulnerabilities that affect a specific software release. To use the form, follow these steps:
- Choose which advisories the tool will search—only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or all advisories.
- Choose the appropriate software.
- Choose the appropriate platform.
- Enter a release number—for example, 10.4(4) for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches or 16.0(8e) for Cisco NX-OS Software in ACI mode.
- Click Check.
Additional Resources
For help determining the best Cisco NX-OS Software release for a Cisco Nexus Switch, see the following Recommended Releases documents. If a security advisory recommends a later release, Cisco recommends following the advisory guidance.
Cisco MDS Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
Cisco Nexus 5600 Platform Switches
Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-Mode SwitchesTo determine the best release for Cisco UCS Software, see the Recommended Releases documents in the release notes for the device.
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The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
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This vulnerability was found during internal security testing.
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.0 Initial public release. — Final 2025-AUG-27
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