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CVE-2026-20146 Cisco CVE debrief

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. The CVE record and NVD entry provide further details.

Vendor
Cisco
Product
Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-15
Original CVE updated
2026-07-16
Advisory published
2026-07-15
Advisory updated
2026-07-16

Who should care

Administrators and users of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it. This includes reviewing system logs, applying patches, and implementing additional security measures.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An authenticated, remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to perform path traversal attacks, potentially allowing access to sensitive files or deletion of arbitrary files on the affected system. The attacks require valid administrative credentials.

Defensive priority

Medium priority given the requirement for administrative credentials and the potential impact on system integrity.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply patches or updates provided by Cisco to affected systems.
  • Restrict access to administrative interfaces to minimize the risk of exploitation.
  • Monitor system logs for suspicious activity indicative of potential exploitation attempts.
  • Implement additional security measures such as network segmentation and access controls.
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-15T17:16:46.970Z and was last modified on 2026-07-16T14:03:27.247Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This information is based on the CVE record and NVD entry. Defenders should verify the affected scope and vendor guidance.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-20146 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-20146

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-20146 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20146

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.