Cisco Spaces Connector Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

TL;DR 📌

• A vulnerability in Cisco Spaces Connector could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient restrictions during the execution of specific CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the Cisco Spaces Connector CLI as the spacesadmin user and…
• No fixed release listed yet; apply mitigations and monitor.
• Workarounds are documented in the advisory.
• CVEs: CVE-2025-20308.

What happened 🕵️‍♂️

A vulnerability in Cisco Spaces Connector could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as root.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient restrictions during the execution of specific CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the Cisco Spaces Connector CLI as the spacesadmin user and executing a specific command with crafted parameters. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges from the spacesadmin user and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as root.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Affected products 🖥️

At the time of publication, this vulnerability affected Cisco Spaces Connector, regardless of device configuration.

For information about which Cisco software releases were vulnerable at the time of publication, see the Fixed Software ["#fs"] section of this advisory. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.

Fixed software 🔧

Upgrade to the first fixed release in your train (or later):

Workarounds 🧯

There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Risk in context 🎯

Use vendor CVSS for prioritization. Consider exposure and asset criticality.

Fast facts ⚡

• Advisory: cisco-sa-spaces-conn-privesc-kgD2CcDU
• Initial release: 2025-07-02T16:00:00 UTC
• Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:00:00 UTC

For leadership 🧭

Executive summary. Risk is Medium (CVSS 6.0) for Cisco, Cisco DNA Spaces Connector. Vendor fixes are available; prioritize upgrade within 30 days based on environment risk.

Why it matters (exposure drivers):

• Potential service impact and security exposure depend on deployment topology and access paths.
• Treat internet-exposed or multi-tenant management nodes as higher risk.
• Ensure monitoring for abnormal auth/config events until upgrades complete.

Remediation & timing:

• Upgrade to the first fixed release per the table above; schedule an approved change window within 30 days.
• Change risk: low-to-moderate (standard vendor patch). Validate backups and rollback plan.

Now / Next / Later:

• Now: Confirm exposure, identify affected versions, and enable monitoring/alerts.
• Next: Patch according to the fixed software table; verify service health post-change.
• Later: Add control checks to build pipeline/CMDB to block drift to vulnerable trains.