IRONSMITHINTEL
MEDIUMCVSS5.4
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2026-20122|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs Vulnerability

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager contains an incorrect use of privileged APIs vulnerability due to improper file handling on the API interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file on the local file system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the affected system and gain vmanage user privileges.

Published Feb 25, 2026 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve partial data exposure, partial data tampering. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2026-04-23 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-648) (CWE-648) vulnerability in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manger. A vulnerability in the API of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the local file system. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid read-only credentials with API access on the affected system. This vulnerability is due to improper file handling on the API interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file on the local file system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the affected system and gain vmanage user privileges. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Network Security Team
Firewall Administrators
IT Security
Running catalyst sd-wan manager: v < 20.9.8.2, 20.10 ≤ v < 20.12.5.3, 20.13 ≤ v < 20.15.4.2, 20.16 ≤ v < 20.18.2.1, 20.12.6
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-20 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2026-04-23.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Please adhere to CISA’s guidelines to assess exposure and mitigate risks associated with Cisco SD-WAN devices as outlines in CISA’s Emergency Directive 26-03 (URL listed below in Notes) and CISA’s “Hunt & Hardening Guidance for Cisco SD-WAN Devices (URL listed below in Notes). Adhere to the applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are not available.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-authbp-qwCX8D4v
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20122
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-20122
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