Cisco License On-Prem: Relative Path Traversal
CVE-2026-76454 is a critical-severity relative path traversal vulnerability in Cisco License On-Prem 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 unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco License On-Prem versions: 7-202001; 1.1; 6.3.0, 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 0.58% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco License On-Prem you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco License On-Prem | 7-202001; 1.1; 6.3.0; 8-202004; 8-202006; 1.2; 1.3; 8-202012; and 28 more ranges | Not 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- 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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A vulnerability in the Cisco Smart Licensing Utility API of Cisco License On-Prem, formerly Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem), could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to write arbitrary files to the system or cause a DoS condition on an affected application. This vulnerability is due to improper input validation and a lack of authentication in the management API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the affected API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to modify system files or cause a DoS condition.
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: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco License On-Prem
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Relative Path Traversal vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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