Vulnerability record · CVE-2026-20245 · published 4 June 2026
CVE-2026-20245: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN CLI command injection via crafted file upload
Cisco · Catalyst Sd Wan Manager
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, Manager and Validator fail to properly validate user-supplied input in the CLI, allowing an authenticated local attacker to upload a crafted file and inject commands. Successful exploitation runs arbitrary commands as root, and Cisco has observed limited cases where this led to configuration changes pushed to edge devices.
Description
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, formerly SD-WAN vSmart, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Validator, formerly SD-WAN vBond, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root by supplying a crafted file to the affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted file to the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform command injection attacks on an affected system and elevate their privileges as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have netadmin privileges on the affected system. This would require valid credentials or exploitation of or . Cisco is not aware of successful exploitation by other methods. Cisco has observed limited cases where the exploitation of this bug resulted in a configuration change pushed to edge devices. Cisco recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software that is documented in the that was published on May 14, 2026, and verify the configuration of the edge devices.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Automated analysis
high priorityThe flaw yields root command execution on core SD-WAN management infrastructure and is in CISA KEV with a near-term remediation deadline, though it requires authenticated netadmin access.
What it is
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, Manager and Validator fail to properly validate user-supplied input in the CLI, allowing an authenticated local attacker to upload a crafted file and inject commands. Successful exploitation runs arbitrary commands as root, and Cisco has observed limited cases where this led to configuration changes pushed to edge devices.
Impact
An attacker with netadmin privileges gains root-level command execution on the SD-WAN management component, enabling full control of that system and potential tampering with configuration pushed to managed edge devices.
Attack surface
The flaw is reached locally through the CLI by uploading a crafted file; the CVSS vector (AV:L/PR:L/UI:N) indicates a local attacker with low privileges and no user interaction, and the description requires valid netadmin credentials on the affected system.
Exploitation
CVE-2026-20245 is listed in CISA KEV with a due date of 2026-06-23, and EPSS shows a 30-day probability of roughly 25 percent (98th percentile), indicating active exploitation is expected or observed; the KEV entry does not flag known ransomware use.
What to do
- Upgrade to the fixed software documented in the Cisco advisory published May 14, 2026, on Controller, Manager and Validator instances.
- Verify and, if necessary, restore the configuration of edge devices, since Cisco observed exploitation resulting in pushed configuration changes.
- Restrict and audit netadmin credentials on SD-WAN management components, and rotate credentials if compromise is suspected.
- Monitor and limit who can upload files to the affected systems, and review uploaded file handling for unexpected content.
Detection
- Review CLI and audit logs on SD-WAN Controller, Manager and Validator for unexpected file uploads followed by command execution or privilege escalation.
- Alert on configuration changes pushed to edge devices that do not match approved change windows or known baselines.
- Hunt for anomalous root-level process execution or command injection patterns originating from the CLI on SD-WAN management nodes.
- Track authentication events for netadmin accounts, including logins from unusual locations or at unusual times.
This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.
Exploitation in the wild
CISA added CVE-2026-20245 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 9 June 2026 as "Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output Vulnerability". Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Federal deadline 23 June 2026.
Affected products
2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.
References
Track CVE-2026-20245 inside VULONE
Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.
Related vulnerabilities
Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2026-20245), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.
