CVE-2026-20147: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
CVE-2026-20147 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) software versions 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0. It allows an authenticated attacker with administrative credentials to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system via crafted HTTP requests. Exploitation can lead to user-level access and privilege escalation to root. In single-node deployments, it may cause denial of service by making the ISE node unavailable, disrupting network access for unauthenticated endpoints.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine software permits an authenticated administrator to perform command injection through specially crafted HTTP requests. The flaw enables execution of arbitrary OS commands, potentially escalating privileges to root. The impact includes full system compromise and denial of service in single-node setups. The CVSS score is 9.9, indicating critical severity. Affected versions explicitly include 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0. No official patch or remediation level is currently provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with administrative access to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying OS, leading to full system compromise including root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, exploitation can cause denial of service by making the node unavailable, disrupting network access for unauthenticated endpoints.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only and monitor for suspicious activity involving HTTP requests to the Cisco ISE management interface.
CVE-2026-20147: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Description
CVE-2026-20147 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) software versions 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0. It allows an authenticated attacker with administrative credentials to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system via crafted HTTP requests. Exploitation can lead to user-level access and privilege escalation to root. In single-node deployments, it may cause denial of service by making the ISE node unavailable, disrupting network access for unauthenticated endpoints.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.9critical
Affected software
Cisco
Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Cisco
Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector
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 software permits an authenticated administrator to perform command injection through specially crafted HTTP requests. The flaw enables execution of arbitrary OS commands, potentially escalating privileges to root. The impact includes full system compromise and denial of service in single-node setups. The CVSS score is 9.9, indicating critical severity. Affected versions explicitly include 3.1.0, 3.2.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0. No official patch or remediation level is currently provided in the available data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with administrative access to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying OS, leading to full system compromise including root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, exploitation can cause denial of service by making the node unavailable, disrupting network access for unauthenticated endpoints.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only and monitor for suspicious activity involving HTTP requests to the Cisco ISE management interface.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.385Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69dfb9f682d89c981f6ee687
Added to database: 04/15/2026, 16:16:54 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 20:46:37 UTC
Last updated: 09/14/2026, 10:01:29 UTC
Views: 181
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