Threat actors exploited a recently patched remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-20352) in Cisco networking devices to deploy a rootkit and target unprotected Linux systems. The security issue leveraged in the attacks affects the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) in Cisco IOS and IOS XE and leads to RCE if the attacker has root privileges. According to cybersecurity company Trend Micro, the attacks exploited the flaw in Cisco 9400, 9300, and legacy 3750G series devices and deployed rootkits on "older Linux systems that do not have endpoint detection response solutions." In the original bulletin for CVE-2025-20352, updated on October 6, Cisco tagged the vulnerability as exploited as a zero day, with the company's Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) saying it was…