Full Report
Second Catalyst SD-WAN Manager flaw exploited as an 0-day this month
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager File Upload Privilege Escalation
## CVE Details
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2026-20262
- **CVSS Score:** 6.8 (Medium)
- **CWE:** Improper Validation of Specified Input During File Upload (CWE-434)
## Affected Systems
- **Products:** Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
- **Versions:** All versions prior to the fixed releases listed in the remediation section.
- **Configurations:** All deployment types are affected, regardless of the specific device configuration.
## Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of the Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input during the file upload process via specific API endpoints. An authenticated attacker with low-privileged access can send a crafted HTTP request to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. By manipulating these files, an attacker can subsequently escalate their privileges to **root**.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** Exploited in the wild (Limited exploitation reported as of June 2026); listed in CISA KEV Catalog.
- **Complexity:** Low (Requires valid low-privileged credentials).
- **Attack Vector:** Network (HTTP request to API endpoints).
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Full system access via root privileges).
- **Integrity:** High (Ability to overwrite or create any system file).
- **Availability:** High (Potential for full system takeover or disruption).
## Remediation
### Patches
Cisco has released software updates to address this vulnerability. Users are strongly recommended to migrate to the following fixed releases or later:
- Refer to the Cisco Security Advisory (cisco-sa-sdwan-arbfw-c2rZvQ) for the specific version mapping for your deployment.
### Workarounds
- There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability. Security posture depends entirely on applying the software patches.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Monitor for unusual file creation or modification events on the SD-WAN Manager filesystem, particularly those originating from the web UI/API service accounts.
- **Detection Methods:** Review web server logs for suspicious POST requests to file upload API endpoints from unexpected user accounts.
## References
- Cisco Security Advisory: hxxps[://]sec[.]cloudapps[.]cisco[.]com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-arbfw-c2rZvQ
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog: hxxps[://]www[.]cisa[.]gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
- NVD Detail: hxxps[://]nvd[.]nist[.]gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20262