CVE-2026-20176: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
A vulnerability in 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 valid high-privileged administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain system-level access to the underlying operating system and then 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 DoS condition. In that condition, endpoints that have not already authenticated would be unable to access the network until the node is restored.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Cisco ISE arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input, enabling command injection. An attacker with valid high-privileged admin credentials can send crafted HTTP requests to execute arbitrary OS commands. Successful exploitation grants system-level access and root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, it may cause the ISE node to become unavailable, resulting in denial of service for endpoints that have not authenticated.
Potential Impact
An attacker with high-privileged administrative credentials can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying OS, leading to full system compromise and root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, exploitation can cause denial of service, preventing network access for unauthenticated endpoints until the node is restored.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
CVE-2026-20176: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Cisco Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Description
A vulnerability in 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 valid high-privileged administrative credentials. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain system-level access to the underlying operating system and then 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 DoS condition. In that condition, endpoints that have not already authenticated would be unable to access the network until the node is restored.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.1critical
Affected software
Cisco
Cisco Identity Services Engine 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 ISE arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input, enabling command injection. An attacker with valid high-privileged admin credentials can send crafted HTTP requests to execute arbitrary OS commands. Successful exploitation grants system-level access and root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, it may cause the ISE node to become unavailable, resulting in denial of service for endpoints that have not authenticated.
Potential Impact
An attacker with high-privileged administrative credentials can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying OS, leading to full system compromise and root privilege escalation. In single-node deployments, exploitation can cause denial of service, preventing network access for unauthenticated endpoints until the node is restored.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.392Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6aaaf94155bf5e2cf51b934b
Added to database: 09/16/2026, 20:17:05 UTC
Last enriched: 09/16/2026, 20:33:32 UTC
Last updated: 09/17/2026, 03:01:23 UTC
Views: 5
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