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CVE-2026-20307

Cisco Identity Services Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published: Sep 16, 2026Updated: Sep 17, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVDCWE-502

Description

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have at least low-privileged administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of a user-supplied Java byte stream. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted serialized Java object to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device and elevate privileges to root. In single-node deployments, successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause the affected ISE node to become unavailable, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. In that condition, endpoints that have not already authenticated would be unable to access the network until the node is restored.

In plain language

AI Act now

Cisco Identity Services Engine Software has a critical flaw that can let a low-level administrator take over the system; businesses using it should act urgently.

Executive summary

Authenticated remote code execution through insecure Java deserialization in the Cisco ISE web management interface allows a low-privileged administrator to execute commands as root.

If affected, business impact
Full identity-system takeoverNetwork access disruptionUnauthorized administrator accessService outage

What to do now

  1. Check whether your business runs Cisco Identity Services Engine Software and identify everyone with administrator access to its web management interface.
  2. Ask Cisco or your support provider for the fixed release for CVE-2026-20307; no patch or fixed version information is currently available.
  3. Until Cisco provides a fix, limit the management interface to a separate admin network and remove unneeded low-level administrator accounts.
  4. Review administrator logins and system command activity for unexpected changes, then rotate administrator passwords if anything looks suspicious.
May need vendor / contractor work

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:LPR:LUI:NS:CC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:CScope
Changed
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High

Weaknesses

Affected Products

Cisco
commercial·USaka cisco systems, cisco systems inc.

Exploitability

0 exploit sources identified

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

View exploit details

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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MITRE ATT&CK

3 techniques
Execution
Initial Access
View detailed technique mapping

References

2

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