CVE-2026-20096: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IMC could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with admin-level privileges to perform command injection attacks on an affected system and execute arbitrary commands as the root user. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted commands to the web-based management interface of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as the root user. Cisco has assigned this vulnerability a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of High, rather than Medium as the score indicates, because additional security implications could occur once the attacker has become root.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user input within the web-based management interface of Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can exploit this flaw by sending crafted commands, resulting in command injection and arbitrary command execution with root privileges on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects numerous versions across the 3.x and 4.x release series. Cisco has assigned a Security Impact Rating of High due to the potential consequences of root access, despite the CVSS score indicating medium severity.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated admin-level attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the affected system. This can lead to full system compromise, unauthorized control, and potential further security breaches. The impact is significant given the root-level command execution capability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict admin-level access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to the web-based management interface. Follow Cisco's official advisories for updates on patches or mitigations.
CVE-2026-20096: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software
Description
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IMC could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with admin-level privileges to perform command injection attacks on an affected system and execute arbitrary commands as the root user. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted commands to the web-based management interface of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as the root user. Cisco has assigned this vulnerability a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of High, rather than Medium as the score indicates, because additional security implications could occur once the attacker has become root.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user input within the web-based management interface of Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can exploit this flaw by sending crafted commands, resulting in command injection and arbitrary command execution with root privileges on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects numerous versions across the 3.x and 4.x release series. Cisco has assigned a Security Impact Rating of High due to the potential consequences of root access, despite the CVSS score indicating medium severity.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated admin-level attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the affected system. This can lead to full system compromise, unauthorized control, and potential further security breaches. The impact is significant given the root-level command execution capability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict admin-level access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to the web-based management interface. Follow Cisco's official advisories for updates on patches or mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.369Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69cd6621e6bfc5ba1de9cb48
Added to database: 4/1/2026, 6:38:25 PM
Last enriched: 4/22/2026, 10:35:27 PM
Last updated: 5/17/2026, 3:55:28 AM
Views: 64
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