CVE-2026-20146: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
A vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform path traversal attacks on the underlying operating system to either read or delete arbitrary files. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive files or delete arbitrary files on the affected system.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) enables an authenticated attacker with valid administrative credentials to perform path traversal attacks on the underlying operating system. By exploiting improper validation of user input in HTTP requests, the attacker can read or delete arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability affects versions 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0 of Cisco ISE software. No official remediation or patch information is provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
An attacker with valid administrative credentials can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files or delete arbitrary files on the affected system. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and partial integrity loss. Availability is not impacted. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity impact with high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and no availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Cisco vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since the vulnerability requires valid administrative credentials, ensure that administrative access is tightly controlled and monitored. Follow Cisco's official advisories for updates and apply any patches or mitigations they provide once available.
CVE-2026-20146: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Description
A vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform path traversal attacks on the underlying operating system to either read or delete arbitrary files. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive files or delete arbitrary files on the affected system.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.5medium
Affected software
pkg:github/cisco/identity-services-engineRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) enables an authenticated attacker with valid administrative credentials to perform path traversal attacks on the underlying operating system. By exploiting improper validation of user input in HTTP requests, the attacker can read or delete arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability affects versions 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0 of Cisco ISE software. No official remediation or patch information is provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
An attacker with valid administrative credentials can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files or delete arbitrary files on the affected system. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and partial integrity loss. Availability is not impacted. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity impact with high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and no availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Cisco vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since the vulnerability requires valid administrative credentials, ensure that administrative access is tightly controlled and monitored. Follow Cisco's official advisories for updates and apply any patches or mitigations they provide once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.384Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a57b64168715ace430b3822
Added to database: 07/15/2026, 16:33:05 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 16:50:47 UTC
Last updated: 07/15/2026, 23:09:47 UTC
Views: 9
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