CVE-2026-20075 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the web-based management interface of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. This vulnerability allows an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against users of the interface. The vulnerability exists because the management interface fails to properly validate user-supplied input.
With a CVSS score of 4.8, the risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized execution of arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface. An attacker would need valid administrative credentials to exploit this vulnerability. As such, organizations with exposed interfaces should prioritize remediation efforts.
The vulnerability was published on January 15, 2026, and it is crucial for organizations to address it promptly to prevent possible exploitation. Given the nature of XSS attacks, the potential impact on confidentiality and integrity could be significant.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability and ensure that their systems are secure against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that the vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco EPNM and Cisco Prime Infrastructure allows an authenticated attacker to conduct stored XSS attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79.
The CVSS score of 4.8 indicates a medium severity level, with a vector string of CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N. Affected products include the Cisco EPNM and Cisco Prime Infrastructure, with specific versions outlined in the vulnerability details.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-20075 stems from insufficient input validation in the web-based management interface. This oversight allows attackers to insert malicious scripts into specific input fields. The attack vector is network-based, requiring that the attacker has valid administrative access to exploit the vulnerability.
The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require significant effort for exploitation. However, it does require high privileges, as attackers must possess administrative credentials to carry out the exploit. User interaction is also necessary, as the malicious script must be executed in the context of a user’s session.
The impact on confidentiality and integrity is classified as low, while availability is not affected. Organizations should remain vigilant in monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and ensure that proper security controls are in place.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk for this vulnerability is notable due to the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information through the exploitation of the management interface. The blast radius could extend to all users accessing the affected system, which may include critical administrative functions.
Given the medium severity and the associated risks, organizations should address this vulnerability as part of their priority patch cycle. The existence of the vulnerability in widely deployed Cisco products heightens the urgency for organizations to take corrective action to safeguard their systems.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions for the Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager include all versions prior to 7.1.4.1 and from 8.1.0 to 8.1.2.1. Cisco Prime Infrastructure versions prior to 3.10.6 are also affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest available versions of Cisco EPNM and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. Specifically, updating to versions 7.1.4.1 or later for EPNM and 3.10.6 or later for Prime Infrastructure is recommended. If immediate patching is not feasible, implementing input validation controls and monitoring user interactions within the management interface can serve as temporary mitigations.
Organizations should also consider conducting a comprehensive assessment of their application security posture, which can be facilitated by engaging in application security assessment services to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual patterns of user input in the management interface can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should look for signs of unauthorized modifications or access to the management interface.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The emergence of CVE-2026-20075 highlights the importance of input validation in web applications, especially those with administrative access. Security teams should be aware of the increasing sophistication of XSS attacks and reinforce their defenses accordingly.
To enhance security measures, organizations can refer to best practices in security testing and penetration testing methodology to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities across their systems.
Lastly, organizations should remain informed about emerging threats and trends in vulnerability exploitation through continuous engagement in vulnerability management programs to strengthen their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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