CVE-2026-20146

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure.

Exploit odds

0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-07-15 17:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-25 16:41 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-07-15 17:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-25 16:41 UTC

Exploit probability

0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-22 · Path traversal

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector < 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector 3.4.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine < 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.4.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.5.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

Low

Availability

None