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CVE-2026-20079 affects Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software.
It is an authentication bypass vulnerability in the web interface.
The flaw is tracked as CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel.
Cisco attributes the issue to an improper system process created at boot time.
This process exposes an alternate path or channel that should not be reachable.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker can reach the affected web interface.
The attacker does not need valid credentials or an authenticated session.
The attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the affected device.
The requests interact with the improperly created boot-time system process.
Because authentication is bypassed, the attacker can execute script files.
Script execution occurs on the affected FMC device.
Successful execution can provide root access to the underlying operating system.
Root access means full control over the appliance’s operating system.
The attacker can run a variety of scripts and commands.
The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network.
No user interaction is required.
The affected product is Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center.
Many versions are listed as vulnerable.
Vulnerable versions include 7.0.0 through 10.0.1.
The CPE list covers 7.0.0, 7.0.0.1, 7.0.1, 7.0.1.1, 7.0.2, and later releases.
It also covers 7.1.x, 7.2.x, 7.3.x, 7.4.x, 7.6.x, 7.7.x, and 10.0.x.
NVD published the CVE on March 04, 2026.
NVD last modified the entry on September 10, 2026.
Cisco Systems, Inc. is the source of the CVE record.
CISA added the CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
The KEV entry was added on September 09, 2026.
The CISA due date is September 12, 2026.
CISA required action is to apply mitigations per vendor instructions.
Required action also references BOD 26-04 and Forensics Triage Requirements.
The vulnerability name in CISA KEV is Cisco Firewall Management Center Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Cisco FMC
Version: 7.0.0–10.0.1
Vulnerability : Authentication bypass
Severity: Critical
date: Mar 04, 2026
Prediction: September 12, 2026
(end of form)
What Undercode Say:
Analytics
Enumerate FMC version curl -k -s https://TARGET/api/versions Check exposed web interface curl -k -I https://TARGET/ Search CVE references grep -R "CVE-2026-20079" .
Exploit: (Educational Purposes!)
POST /ENDPOINT HTTP/1.1 Host: TARGET User-Agent: curl/8.0 Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded crafted_request=1
curl -k -X POST https://TARGET/ENDPOINT \ -H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" \ --data "crafted_request=1"
Protection: from this CVE
Restrict management interface access iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s TRUSTED_IP -j ACCEPT iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP Verify version curl -k -s https://TARGET/api/versions
Impact:
Unauthenticated remote attacker bypasses authentication. Crafted HTTP requests execute script files. Root access to underlying operating system. Full device compromise. CISA KEV catalog listed. Apply vendor mitigations by September 12, 2026.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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