# CVE-2026-20192: Cisco Identity Services Engine improper access control

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20192-cisco-identity-services-engine-improper-access-control  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-16. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20192 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Published 2026-09-16

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), a critical authentication and network access control platform, contains improper access control vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to bypass security restrictions. One vulnerability in this class is known to be actively exploited in the wild. An attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to network resources and administrative functions without proper authentication, leading to data breach, network compromise, or complete system takeover.

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-2026-20192 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20192 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20192?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 16 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.0 and earlier, 3.1 before Patch 12, 3.2 before Patch 11, 3.3 before Patch 12, 3.4 before Patch 7, 3.5 before Patch 4; Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector through 3.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20192?** A patch was published on 2026-09-16: Fixed releases available: ISE 3.1 Patch 12, 3.2 Patch 11, 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-20192 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20192?** 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.

## Technical details

This vulnerability (grouped under CVE-2026-20192 for CWE-284) represents improper access control issues including authorization, authentication, and privilege bypass flaws. The vulnerability affects Cisco ISE and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) products regardless of device configuration. The attack vector is network-based with no authentication or user interaction required (CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C). At least one vulnerability within this CWE category is actively exploited. Patches are available in fixed software releases (ISE 3.1 Patch 12, 3.2 Patch 11, 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4), and customers should upgrade immediately.

## Affected products

- Cisco Identity Services Engine 3.0 and earlier, 3.1 before Patch 12, 3.2 before Patch 11, 3.3 before Patch 12, 3.4 before Patch 7, 3.5 before Patch 4
- Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector through 3.4

## Timeline

- 2026-09-16: disclosed: Cisco security advisory published
- exploited: One vulnerability in the access control class (CWE-284) is known to be actively exploited in the wild
- 2026-09-16: patched: Fixed releases available: ISE 3.1 Patch 12, 3.2 Patch 11, 3.3 Patch 12, 3.4 Patch 7, 3.5 Patch 4

## References

- [https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-hardening-ise-XU5EwX5T](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-hardening-ise-XU5EwX5T)

## Related threats

- [Cisco Identity Services Engine authorization bypass in management interface](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20183-a-vulnerability-in-the-web-based-management-interface-of-cisco)
- [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)