Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server…: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
CVE-2026-76496 is a high-severity improper link resolution before file access vulnerability in Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway versions: X8.11.2; X8.6; X8.11.3, 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 0.16% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway | X8.11.2; X8.6; X8.11.3; X8.2.2; X8.8.3; X8.11.0; X12.5.2; X8.1.1; and 32 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
As part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to proactive security and product quality, the Cisco Expressway Series software engineering team has conducted a comprehensive internal security review. This review resulted in software hardening releases that address multiple internally discovered vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities tracked by CVE-2026-76496 are related to issues concerning improper link resolutions that are grouped under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) Base CWE-59.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system. Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
More Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities (CWE-59)
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
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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