CVE-2026-20316: Use of Hard-coded Password in Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
CVE-2026-20316 is a vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) software where a hard-coded password exists for a low-privileged account in the web interface. This allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to log in and access sensitive data with low privileges. The vulnerability increases risk if the management interface is publicly accessible. Cisco rates the security impact as High due to potential privilege escalation when combined with other vulnerabilities. The CVSS score is 5.3 (medium severity).
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves static user credentials embedded in the Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) web interface software. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the hard-coded password to log in as a low-privileged user and access sensitive data on the affected system. Although the CVSS base score is 5.3, Cisco assigns a higher security impact rating (High) because this issue can be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. The attack surface is reduced if the FMC management interface is not exposed to the public internet. No official remediation or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
An attacker can gain unauthorized access to the FMC system as a low-privileged user, potentially exposing sensitive data. While this access alone is limited, it can be leveraged with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, increasing the overall risk to the system. The vulnerability does not directly allow privilege escalation or denial of service but facilitates unauthorized access.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, reduce exposure by restricting public internet access to the FMC management interface. Monitor Cisco advisories for updates on patches or official mitigations.
CVE-2026-20316: Use of Hard-coded Password in Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
Description
CVE-2026-20316 is a vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) software where a hard-coded password exists for a low-privileged account in the web interface. This allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to log in and access sensitive data with low privileges. The vulnerability increases risk if the management interface is publicly accessible. Cisco rates the security impact as High due to potential privilege escalation when combined with other vulnerabilities. The CVSS score is 5.3 (medium severity).
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.3medium
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves static user credentials embedded in the Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) web interface software. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the hard-coded password to log in as a low-privileged user and access sensitive data on the affected system. Although the CVSS base score is 5.3, Cisco assigns a higher security impact rating (High) because this issue can be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. The attack surface is reduced if the FMC management interface is not exposed to the public internet. No official remediation or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
An attacker can gain unauthorized access to the FMC system as a low-privileged user, potentially exposing sensitive data. While this access alone is limited, it can be leveraged with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, increasing the overall risk to the system. The vulnerability does not directly allow privilege escalation or denial of service but facilitates unauthorized access.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, reduce exposure by restricting public internet access to the FMC management interface. Monitor Cisco advisories for updates on patches or official mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2025-10-08T11:59:15.410Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a6a335f9c2644c7f8cc857f
Added to database: 07/29/2026, 17:07:43 UTC
Last enriched: 07/29/2026, 17:24:53 UTC
Last updated: 07/29/2026, 17:24:53 UTC
Views: 6
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