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CVE-2026-20097: Medium Vulnerability in Cisco Integrated Management Controller

A medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco IMC's web management interface could allow authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root. Urgent remediation is advised to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5 · Published April 1, 2026

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A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with admin-level privileges to execute arbitrary code as the root user. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input to the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system as the root user.

Cisco has assigned this vulnerability a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of High rather than Medium as the score indicates because additional security implications could occur when the attacker becomes root. The CVSS score is 6.5, indicating a medium level of severity, but the potential for significant impact makes this a critical issue for organizations relying on Cisco IMC.

As this vulnerability is currently awaiting analysis, organizations should remain vigilant and prioritize remediation. This vulnerability has the potential to be exploited remotely, which necessitates immediate attention to secure affected systems.

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over critical systems. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

There are currently no known public exploits targeting this vulnerability, but given its nature, proactive measures should be taken to mitigate potential risks.

In summary, the urgency of this vulnerability requires organizations to address it within their immediate patching cycle.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges due to improper input validation in the web-based management interface of Cisco IMC. The CVSS score of 6.5 indicates a medium severity level, classified under CWE-787.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly validate user input, which leads to potential command injection. The attack vector is network-based, requiring that the attacker have high privileges, specifically admin-level access. The attack complexity is low, and no user interaction is required. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are high, with no impact on availability.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations using Cisco IMC should consider the potential for significant risk due to this vulnerability. If exploited, the attacker could gain full control of affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches or system outages. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is high, as the risk to the organization grows with time.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

All versions prior to vendor patch are affected. Organizations should refer to Cisco's advisories for specific product details.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Ensure to upgrade to the latest version provided by Cisco. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing network controls to limit exposure to affected systems. Configuration hardening should also be evaluated as an interim measure.

Detection Guidance

Monitor logs for unusual HTTP requests to the management interface. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected responses to crafted requests should be investigated. Additionally, network signatures should be established to detect exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to impact multiple organizations using Cisco IMC. The trend of exploiting such vulnerabilities highlights the importance of robust input validation in web management interfaces.

Security teams should learn from this vulnerability to strengthen their defenses and ensure that input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar exploits.

For further insights, organizations can refer to our penetration testing services to evaluate their security posture. This includes services such as penetration testing and application security assessments that can help identify similar weaknesses.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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