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CVE-2026-20245

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller Authenticated Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Published: Jun 4, 2026Updated: Jul 23, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-116
7.8HIGH
NVD MITRE
EPSS Score
25.3%
Top 2.3%
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since Jun 9, 2026
Exploits
0 Known
Remediation
Patch Available
Self-Check
OpenVAS

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, formerly SD-WAN vSmart, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Validator, formerly SD-WAN vBond, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root by supplying a crafted file to the affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted file to the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform command injection attacks on an affected system and elevate their privileges as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have netadmin privileges on the affected system. This would require valid credentials or exploitation of or . Cisco is not aware of successful exploitation by other methods. Cisco has observed limited cases where the exploitation of this bug resulted in a configuration change pushed to edge devices. Cisco recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software that is documented in the that was published on May 14, 2026, and verify the configuration of the edge devices.

In plain language

AI Act now

CVE-2026-20245 lets an attacker who already has netadmin access on Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager/Controller upload a crafted file to gain full root control; if you run these devices and your accounts are protected, you should still treat this as serious because it’s already been exploited in real attacks.

Executive summary

CVE-2026-20245 is an authenticated, local privilege-escalation flaw (CWE-116) in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller/Manager that can be triggered by a netadmin-level user uploading a crafted file, resulting in arbitrary command execution as root; it is listed in CISA KEV and has been exploited in the wild.

If affected, business impact
Full system control as rootTampered SD-WAN configurationWider network disruptionHard-to-detect intrusion

What to do now

  1. Check whether your organization uses Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, SD-WAN vSmart Controller, Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, or Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, and record their software versions.
  2. Determine whether any user account with netadmin privileges (or equivalent) exists on those systems, especially accounts used for SSH administration.
  3. Upgrade all affected components to the fixed version 20.9.9.1 (Catalyst SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN vSmart Controller).
  4. After upgrading, verify edge/device configuration for unexpected changes (because observed incidents included configuration changes pushed to edge devices).
  5. Review authentication and admin activity around the time window reported for exploitation attempts (early 2026), and investigate signs of anti-forensic behavior such as missing or altered configuration files.
Patch / advisory Usually a quick update

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
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Weaknesses

CWE-116

Affected Products

Cisco Systems Inc.
commercial·USaka Cisco, cisco systems
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller
Networking Infrastructure
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
Networking Infrastructure
Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
Networking Infrastructure
sd-wan vsmart controller
Networking Infrastructure
and 1 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:Jun 9, 2026
Remediation due:Jun 23, 2026

Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

0 exploit sources identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details
Official Patch Available
Is your org exposed to CVE-2026-20245?We can run the check for you — a free external exposure review, no install. Check my exposure

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-privesc-4uxFrdzx
sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-rpa2-v69WY2SW
sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/csv/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.csv
cisa.gov
and 1 more references View all →
News mentions
19
See all →

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