# CVE-2026-76446: Cisco ISE external entity injection in API

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76446-cisco-ise-external-entity-injection-in-api  
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-2026-76446 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.9 · Published 2026-09-16

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) are network authentication and access control systems used by enterprises to manage user and device access to networks. A vulnerability in an API allows authenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files on the affected system by exploiting improper handling of XML external entity references. This could expose sensitive configuration data, credentials, or other confidential information stored on the system.

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-2026-76446 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-76446 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-76446?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.9, published 16 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco Identity Services Engine <UNKNOWN>; Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-76446?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-76446 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-76446?** 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

The vulnerability is a classic XML External Entity (XXE) injection flaw in an API of Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC, classified under CWE-611. The root cause is improper restriction of XML external entity references in the affected API. An authenticated, remote attacker can craft and send a malicious XML request to trigger arbitrary file read on the underlying operating system, with access limited to files readable by the ISE process. Attack precondition is valid authentication; no user interaction required. A successful exploit allows information disclosure of sensitive system files. Cisco has released software updates to address this vulnerability; no workarounds are available.

## Affected products

- Cisco Identity Services Engine <UNKNOWN>
- Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-16: disclosed: Vulnerability disclosed; software updates available

## References

- [https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-multiauth-bypass-sgD2HbL4](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-multiauth-bypass-sgD2HbL4)

## 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)