CVE-2026-20199: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') in Cisco Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent
A vulnerability in the SSL certificate handling of Cisco ThousandEyes Virtual Appliance could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system as the root user. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted certificate to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on the underlying operating system. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent involves improper neutralization of special elements in SSL certificate input, enabling an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root by uploading a malicious certificate. Exploitation requires valid administrative credentials. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.7 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level.
Potential Impact
An attacker with valid administrative credentials could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the affected device. This could lead to unauthorized control over the system, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device and its data. However, exploitation requires high privileges, limiting the attack surface.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only and monitor for any suspicious certificate uploads. No official remediation or temporary fix has been published by Cisco at this time.
CVE-2026-20199: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') in Cisco Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent
Description
A vulnerability in the SSL certificate handling of Cisco ThousandEyes Virtual Appliance could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system as the root user. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted certificate to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on the underlying operating system. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent involves improper neutralization of special elements in SSL certificate input, enabling an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root by uploading a malicious certificate. Exploitation requires valid administrative credentials. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.7 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level.
Potential Impact
An attacker with valid administrative credentials could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the affected device. This could lead to unauthorized control over the system, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device and its data. However, exploitation requires high privileges, limiting the attack surface.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only and monitor for any suspicious certificate uploads. No official remediation or temporary fix has been published by Cisco at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.397Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a0de26bba1db473628f2736
Added to database: 5/20/2026, 4:33:47 PM
Last enriched: 5/20/2026, 4:49:46 PM
Last updated: 5/21/2026, 4:31:17 AM
Views: 30
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