A vulnerability in the licensing features of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with administrative privileges to gain access to sensitive information. This vulnerability is due to improper parsing of XML that is processed by the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file to the application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read arbitrary files from the underlying operating system that could include sensitive data that should otherwise be inaccessible even to administrators. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
With a CVSS score of 4.9, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. Organizations utilizing Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC must take this vulnerability seriously, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The risk to organizations includes the potential exposure of confidential information, which underscores the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly.
As of the latest information, there are no known public exploits or proofs of concept available for this vulnerability, which may indicate that it is not yet widely targeted. However, this should not diminish the urgency for organizations to implement remediation measures, as the potential for exploitation exists.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, especially if they are using affected versions of Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC. Regular updates and security assessments are critical in maintaining a strong security posture.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to exploit weaknesses in the XML processing of the management interface of Cisco ISE products. The official CVE description indicates that this vulnerability could lead to sensitive information disclosure. The CVSS score of 4.9 suggests that while it is not classified as critical, it still poses a significant security risk.
The affected products include Cisco Identity Services Engine and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector. The CWE classification is CWE-611, which pertains to improper restriction of XML external entity reference.
Technical Analysis
Root cause analysis indicates that the vulnerability stems from improper parsing of XML data. This flaw allows for the potential exploitation by attackers possessing valid administrative credentials. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity of the exploit is rated as low, requiring minimal effort to execute.
Privileges required for exploitation are high, as the attacker must have administrative access. Additionally, user interaction is not required for the attack to succeed, making it particularly dangerous. The confidentiality impact is rated high, while the integrity and availability impacts are rated none.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information, which could potentially lead to data breaches and compliance issues. The medium severity of this vulnerability indicates that while immediate action may not be as critical as for higher-severity vulnerabilities, it still requires prompt attention in the context of overall security practices.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, particularly given the potential for data loss or exposure. The exploitability of this vulnerability is assessed as medium, meaning organizations should not wait for further analysis before implementing patches.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Specific version information for affected products is currently not available. Organizations using Cisco Identity Services Engine and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector should consider all versions prior to vendor patch as potentially vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations using affected systems are advised to implement the latest security patches as soon as they are available. If a patch is not yet available, organizations should apply workarounds as suggested by Cisco and consider implementing configuration hardening measures to reduce exposure.
For additional guidance, organizations can refer to best practices for penetration testing and security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unauthorized file uploads and access attempts on the management interface is essential. Organizations should review logs for suspicious activities and implement alerts for any unauthorized access to sensitive information.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the potential for data breaches and the importance of properly evaluating XML processing in application security. This incident highlights the need for organizations to regularly conduct security assessments and implement robust security measures to protect sensitive information.
Security teams should be aware of patterns in vulnerabilities associated with improper XML processing and ensure their systems are resilient against similar threats. For further insights, organizations can explore our vulnerability management program to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, engaging in penetration testing methodology will provide further insights into potential vulnerabilities within the organization's infrastructure.
Finally, organizations should consider adopting security testing best practices to effectively manage and mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-20029.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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