# CVE-2026-20183: Cisco Identity Services Engine authorization bypass in management interface

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20183-a-vulnerability-in-the-web-based-management-interface-of-cisco  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20183 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.3 · Published 2026-11-10

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is an identity and access management platform used to manage network authentication and authorization across enterprise networks. A vulnerability in its web-based management interface allows authenticated administrators with valid credentials to bypass permission checks and modify system configuration they should not be able to access. An attacker with admin credentials could alter device settings, potentially gaining broader control over the network authentication system.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20183 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20183 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20183?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.3, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.2 and earlier; Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector 3.4 and earlier.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20183?** Yes: fixed in ISE: 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4; ISE-PIC: 3.4 Patch 7. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-20183 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20183?** Check whether you run Cisco Identity Services Engine or Cisco Identity Services Engine 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.

## How to fix

- Fixed in ISE: 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4; ISE-PIC: 3.4 Patch 7

## Technical details

The vulnerability stems from insufficient server-side validation of Administrator permissions in the ISE web management interface, allowing authenticated attackers to bypass authorization controls via crafted HTTP requests. An attacker must possess valid Administrator credentials and network access to the management interface; successful exploitation permits modification of file descriptions and potentially other configuration elements. The vulnerability affects ISE releases 3.2 and earlier, with patches available in 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, and 3.5 Patch 4.

## Affected products

- Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.2 and earlier
- Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector 3.4 and earlier

## Timeline

- 2026-09-16: disclosed
- 2026-11-10: advisory: CVE-2026-20183 added to advisory

## References

- [https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-auth-bypass-1-MxcTNgwx](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-auth-bypass-1-MxcTNgwx)

## Related threats

- [Cisco Identity Services Engine authorization bypass in certificate enrollment](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20241-a-vulnerability-in-the-authorization-mechanism-of-cisco-identity)
- [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)
- [Cisco ISE SQL and HQL injection in APIs](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76451-cisco-ise-sql-and-hql-injection-in-apis)
- [Cisco Identity Services Engine SQL and HQL injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76450-cisco-identity-services-engine-sql-and-hql-injection)
- [Cisco ISE SQL/HQL injection in APIs](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76449-cisco-ise-sql-hql-injection-in-apis)