CVE-2026-20148
Description
A vulnerability in Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform path traversal attacks on the underlying operating system and read 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 on the affected system.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC contain a path traversal vulnerability allowing authenticated admins to read arbitrary files via crafted HTTP requests.
Vulnerability
Overview
CVE-2026-20148 is a path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC). The root cause is improper validation of user-supplied input, which allows an authenticated, remote attacker to send a crafted HTTP request that traverses directories on the underlying operating system [1].
Exploitation
Conditions
To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must possess valid administrative credentials for the affected Cisco ISE or ISE-PIC system. No other authentication bypass is required; the attacker leverages their existing admin privileges to submit a specially crafted HTTP request that bypasses input sanitization [1].
Impact
A successful exploit enables the attacker to read arbitrary files from the underlying operating system. This could expose sensitive configuration data, credentials, or other confidential information stored on the device, potentially leading to further compromise of the network infrastructure [1].
Mitigation
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds available. Administrators are advised to upgrade to the fixed software versions as indicated in the Cisco Security Advisory [1].
AI Insight generated on May 18, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
1Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
1News mentions
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