PatchTheCVECVE-2026-20245: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output Vulnerability
CVE-2026-20245 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting catalyst sd-wan manager, sd-wan vsmart controller, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, formerly SD-WAN vSmart, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Validator, formerly SD-WAN vBond, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root by supplying a crafted file to the affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 25.3% (top 2%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2026-06-23 |
| Weakness | CWE-116 |
| Published | 2026-06-04 |
| Last modified | 2026-07-23 |
Last updated 2026-07-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: 0xBlackash/CVE-2026-20245 (4 stars)
- GitHub PoC: HORKimhab/CVE-2026-20245 (0 stars)
- GitHub PoC: fevar54/CVE-2026-20245---Cisco-SD-WAN-Privilege-Escalation-Exploit (0 stars)
Advisories and coverage
Research and news
- Mandiant / Google Cloud Threat Intel: Zero-Day Exploitation of Vulnerability (CVE-2026-20245) in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager 2026-06-24
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2026-20245?
catalyst sd-wan manager: upgrade to 20.9.9.1, 20.12.5.4, 20.12.6.2, 20.15.4.4, 20.15.5.2, 20.18.2.2, 26.1.1.1; sd-wan vsmart controller: upgrade to 20.9.9.1, 20.12.5.4, 20.12.6.2, 20.15.4.4, 20.15.5.2, 20.18.2.2, 26.1.1.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-20245 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2026-20245 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2026-20245 affect?
CVE-2026-20245 affects catalyst sd-wan manager, sd-wan vsmart controller. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, formerly SD-WAN vSmart, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Validator, formerly SD-WAN vBond, could allow an authenticated, local
How urgent is CVE-2026-20245?
Priority 77/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Software pages
Related CVEs
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- CVE-2026-20209 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, could allow an authen
- CVE-2026-20210 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, could allow an authen
- CVE-2026-76504 CRITICAL 9.8 EXPLOITED UPGRADE Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Hex Encoding Vulnerability