---
id: CVE-2024-20265
title: Cisco Access Point Software Secure Boot Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2024-20265)
summary: >-
  A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco Access Point (AP) Software could
  allow an unauthenticated, physical attacker to bypass the Cisco Secure Boot
  functionality and load a software image that has been tampered with on an
  affected de…
severity: medium
cvss: 5.9
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'
cvssSource: vendor
vendor: Cisco
product: Cisco IOS XE Software
affected:
  - ios_xe_software
  - aironet_access_point_software
  - business_wireless_access_point_software
  - aironet_access_point_software_ios_xe_controller
published: '2024-03-27'
updated: '2024-03-27'
sourceUpdated: '2024-03-27T16:00:00+00:00'
source: CSAF
sourceUrl: >-
  https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-secureboot-bypass-zT5vJkSD
references:
  - url: >-
      https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-secureboot-bypass-zT5vJkSD
  - url: 'https://software.cisco.com'
tags:
  - csaf
  - vendor-advisory
  - cisco
epss: 0.00249
epssPercentile: 0.14467
ingestedAt: '2026-09-08T15:58:18.543Z'
---

## Overview

A vulnerability in the boot process of Cisco Access Point (AP) Software could allow an unauthenticated, physical attacker to bypass the Cisco Secure Boot functionality and load a software image that has been tampered with on an affected device.

This vulnerability exists because unnecessary commands are available during boot time at the physical console. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by interrupting the boot process and executing specific commands to bypass the Cisco Secure Boot validation checks and load an image that has been tampered with. This image would have been previously downloaded onto the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to load the image once. The Cisco Secure Boot functionality is not permanently compromised.

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

## Vendor advisories

- **cisco-sa-ap-secureboot-bypass-zT5vJkSD** · Cisco · affected: Cisco IOS XE Software, Cisco Aironet Access Point Software, Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software, Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller) · updated 2024-03-27 · [advisory](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-secureboot-bypass-zT5vJkSD)

**Cisco Access Point Software Secure Boot Bypass Vulnerability**. Released 2024-03-27.

Affected:

- Cisco IOS XE Software
- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
- Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software
- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller)

## Remediation

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. https://software.cisco.com