# CVE-2026-20146: Cisco ISE path traversal in management interface

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20146-cisco-ise-path-traversal-in-management-interface  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-15. Updated: 2026-07-15  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20146 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-07-15

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), a platform used to manage secure network access, contains a vulnerability that could allow an authorized administrator to access or delete restricted system files. By sending a specially crafted request to the management interface, an attacker with administrative credentials could bypass security restrictions to view sensitive data or disrupt operations by deleting critical files. While this requires existing administrative access, it represents a significant risk to data confidentiality and system integrity.

Technologies: [Cisco Identity Services Engine](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/identity-services-engine), [Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ise-passive-identity-connector). Vendors: [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20146 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20146 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20146?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 15 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.1.0 through 3.5 Patch 3; Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector 3.1.0 through 3.4 Patch 5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20146?** A patch was published on 2026-09-01: Estimated availability of fixed software patches Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-20146 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20146?** Check whether you run Cisco Identity Services Engine or Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker with high-privileged administrative credentials can exploit this by sending crafted HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to the affected system. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to bypass directory restrictions to read sensitive configuration files or delete arbitrary files on the underlying Linux-based operating system. The vulnerability affects multiple versions including 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5. Cisco has announced fixed releases (e.g., 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4) scheduled for September 2026.

## Affected products

- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) 3.1.0 through 3.5 Patch 3
- Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) 3.1.0 through 3.4 Patch 5

## Timeline

- 2026-07-15: advisory: Initial public release by Cisco
- 2026-07-15: disclosed
- 2026-09-01: patched: Estimated availability of fixed software patches

## References

- [https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-traversal-xNt7wb2Y](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-traversal-xNt7wb2Y)

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- [A vulnerability in an API of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76460-cisco-identity-services-engine-incorrect-privileged-api-use)
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