CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-20284NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

Cisco Identity Services Engine Software: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-20284 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Identity Services Engine Software versions: 3.1.0; 3.1.0 p1; 3.1.0 p3, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.53% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Cisco Identity Services Engine Software you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoCisco Identity Services Engine Software3.1.0; 3.1.0 p1; 3.1.0 p3; 3.1.0 p2; 3.2.0; 3.1.0 p4; 3.1.0 p5; 3.2.0 p1; and 32 more rangesNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).

Official description

A vulnerability in the SXP REST API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input in REST API calls. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted input to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view or modify data on the underlying database for the affected device. In single-node deployments, successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause the affected ISE node to become unavailable, resulting in a DoS condition. In that condition, endpoints that have not already authenticated would be unable to access the network until the node is restored. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials, have the SXP service enabled, and have at least one SXP connection configured.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic

The product generates a query intended to access or manipulate data in a data store such as a database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that can modify the intended logic of the query.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic vulnerabilities (CWE-943)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software

All Cisco Identity Services Engine Software vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic vulnerabilities

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