A vulnerability in the API user authentication of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain access to an affected system as a user who has the netadmin role. The vulnerability is due to improper authentication for requests that are sent to the API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the API of an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands with the privileges of the netadmin role. Note: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager releases 20.18 and later are not affected by this vulnerability.
This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. Organizations utilizing Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager should prioritize patching this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and the ability for attackers to execute privileged commands.
Currently, there is no public exploit confirmed, and this vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Nevertheless, organizations must remain vigilant and implement necessary security measures to safeguard their systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which pertains to improper authentication. The affected product is Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, with a CVSS score of 9.8 indicating critical severity. The vulnerability was published on February 25, 2026. All versions prior to vendor patch, specifically those below 20.18, are affected.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper authentication for API requests. The attack vector is through the network, and the attack complexity is low, requiring no privileges or user interaction. The impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is significant due to the potential for unauthorized access and command execution with elevated privileges. Organizations utilizing Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager should assess their exposure and implement necessary security measures promptly. This vulnerability represents a critical threat to organizations, and the urgency for remediation is high.
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, specifically those below 20.18, including versions 20.9.8.2 to 20.16.4.1.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches for Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager to remediate this vulnerability. If patches are unavailable, consider implementing strict network controls to limit access to the API endpoints. For further guidance on security testing, organizations can refer to penetration testing services that can help identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for unusual API access patterns, including unauthorized attempts to access privileged functionalities. Organizations should also look for behavioral anomalies during authentication processes and implement network signatures to detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the increasing reliance on API-based architectures in modern enterprise environments. Security teams must remain vigilant and continuously assess their systems for similar weaknesses. For comprehensive insights into security best practices, organizations can explore resources such as API security testing and cloud penetration testing methodologies. Furthermore, employing a penetration testing methodology can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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