A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with low privileges to access sensitive information that they are not authorized to access. This vulnerability is due to improper authorization checks on a REST API endpoint of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by querying the affected endpoint. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view session information of active Cisco EPNM users, including users with administrative privileges, which could result in the affected device being compromised.
The severity of this vulnerability is high, with a CVSS score of 8. This indicates that it poses a significant risk to organizations. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information makes it critical for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly. The exploitation status is currently awaiting analysis, but given its characteristics, organizations should take the necessary precautions.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The potential for attackers to leverage this vulnerability necessitates a proactive approach to remediation. Failure to do so could lead to significant risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential compromises of the affected devices.
The urgency for defenders is underscored by the high severity of this vulnerability. Organizations must remain vigilant and implement appropriate security measures to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with low privileges to access sensitive information that they are not authorized to access. This vulnerability is due to improper authorization checks on a REST API endpoint of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by querying the affected endpoint. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view session information of active Cisco EPNM users, including users with administrative privileges, which could result in the affected device being compromised.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is classified as network-based, with low attack complexity and the requirement for low privileges and user interaction. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high, underscoring the seriousness of this vulnerability.
The vulnerability was published on April 1, 2026, and is classified under CWE-862, which pertains to improper authorization. Organizations should remain aware of the risks associated with improper authorization vulnerabilities and implement best practices to mitigate them.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper authorization checks on a REST API endpoint within Cisco EPNM. This flaw allows an authenticated user with low privileges to access sensitive session information of other users, including those with administrative privileges. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely.
The complexity of the attack is low, as the attacker needs only low privileges and must interact with the system. The impacts of a successful exploit are significant, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations must understand that even low-privileged users can access sensitive information, which could lead to further exploitation.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of Cisco EPNM is common in organizations that rely on Cisco's networking solutions. The improper authorization vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive user session information. This could lead to further compromise of the affected devices and possibly the broader network.
The blast radius potential is extensive, as attackers may use the information gained to escalate privileges or conduct more damaging attacks on the network. Given the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should assess their risk posture and prioritize remediation efforts.
Organizations should schedule remediation based on the urgency of this vulnerability, as the exploitability is currently high. With no known public exploits at this time, proactive measures should be taken to address the vulnerability before potential exploitation occurs.
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 by this vulnerability. Organizations using Cisco EPNM should ensure they are on the latest version to avoid exposure to this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Cisco has released updates to mitigate this vulnerability, and organizations should apply these updates as part of their regular patch management process. Additionally, organizations may consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the affected API endpoints.
For further guidance on securing your networks, organizations can refer to the application security assessment resources provided by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts to the Cisco EPNM management interface. Behavioral anomalies indicating potential exploitation should be flagged for investigation. Additionally, network signatures should be updated to detect any suspicious activity related to this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability underscores the importance of proper authorization checks in software design. Organizations should learn from this incident to enhance security measures and review their authorization processes.
Security teams should analyze patterns of similar vulnerabilities to strengthen their defenses against unauthorized access. For best practices in penetration testing, organizations can refer to the penetration testing methodology guide by AppSecure.
Overall, organizations should integrate security best practices into their development and operational workflows to mitigate similar risks in the future.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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