Cisco Identity Services Engine Software: Relative Path Traversal
CVE-2026-76424 is a high-severity relative path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 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 0.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Identity Services Engine to 3.3.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco Identity Services Engine Software | 3.1.0; 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 ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Identity Services Engine | 3.1.0 up to, but not including, 3.3.0; 3.3.0; 3.4.0; 3.5.0 | 3.3.0 |
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
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- 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:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A vulnerability in the REST API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to upload or copy arbitrary files on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation in file operations. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a file with a crafted path. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files to arbitrary locations and execute arbitrary commands as root on the affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Relative Path Traversal
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize sequences such as.. that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Relative Path Traversal vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
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