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Security tracker

CVE-2026-20079: Cisco Firewall Management Center Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability

In short

Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management has a weakness classified as authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel (CWE-288). CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-09-09. NVD lists CVSS 3.1 at 10 CRITICAL.

What it is

“Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software and Cisco Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management contain an authentication Bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and execute script files on an affected device to obtain root access to the underlying operating system.” — CISA KEV, retrieved 2026-11-01
“A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and execute script files on an affected device to obtain root access to the underlying operating system.  This vulnerability is due to an improper system process that is created at boot time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute a variety of scripts and commands that allow root access to the device. ” — NVD, retrieved 2026-11-01

Who is affected

Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management. NVD lists the following versions as affected:

  • Versions version 7.0.0
  • Versions version 7.0.0.1
  • Versions version 7.0.1
  • Versions version 7.0.1.1
  • Versions version 7.0.2
  • Versions version 7.0.2.1
  • Versions version 7.0.3
  • Versions version 7.0.4
  • Versions version 7.0.5
  • Versions version 7.0.6
  • Versions version 7.0.6.1
  • Versions version 7.0.6.2
  • Versions version 7.0.6.3
  • Versions version 7.0.7
  • Versions version 7.0.8
  • Versions version 7.0.8.1
  • Versions version 7.0.9
  • Versions version 7.1.0
  • Versions version 7.1.0.1
  • Versions version 7.1.0.2
  • Versions version 7.1.0.3
  • Versions version 7.2.0
  • Versions version 7.2.0.1
  • Versions version 7.2.1
  • Versions version 7.2.2
  • Versions version 7.2.3
  • Versions version 7.2.3.1
  • Versions version 7.2.4
  • Versions version 7.2.4.1
  • Versions version 7.2.5
  • Versions version 7.2.5.1
  • Versions version 7.2.5.2
  • Versions version 7.2.6
  • Versions version 7.2.7
  • Versions version 7.2.8
  • Versions version 7.2.8.1
  • Versions version 7.2.9
  • Versions version 7.2.10
  • Versions version 7.2.10.1
  • Versions version 7.2.10.2
  • Versions version 7.2.11
  • Versions version 7.3.0
  • Versions version 7.3.1
  • Versions version 7.3.1.1
  • Versions version 7.3.1.2
  • Versions version 7.4.0
  • Versions version 7.4.1
  • Versions version 7.4.1.1
  • Versions version 7.4.2
  • Versions version 7.4.2.1
  • Versions version 7.4.2.2
  • Versions version 7.4.2.3
  • Versions version 7.4.2.4
  • Versions version 7.4.3
  • Versions version 7.4.4
  • Versions version 7.4.5
  • Versions version 7.4.6
  • Versions version 7.4.7
  • Versions version 7.6.0
  • Versions version 7.6.1
  • Versions version 7.6.2
  • Versions version 7.6.2.1
  • Versions version 7.6.3
  • Versions version 7.6.4
  • Versions version 7.6.5
  • Versions version 7.7.0
  • Versions version 7.7.10
  • Versions version 7.7.10.1
  • Versions version 7.7.11
  • Versions version 7.7.12
  • Versions version 10.0.0
  • Versions version 10.0.1

Exploitation status

CISA KEV added: 2026-09-09. Known ransomware campaign use: Not reported by CISA. Due date CISA set for US federal civilian agencies: 2026-09-12.

Scores

NVD CVSS 3.1: 10 CRITICAL; vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H; source [email protected].

EPSS by FIRST: 88.66%; percentile 99.77; score date 2026-10-31. EPSS estimates the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

CWE: CWE-288.

Timeline

Source events
DateEvent
2026-03-04T18:16:24.230NVD published
2026-09-09CISA KEV added
2026-09-12CISA KEV due
2026-09-16T17:17:16.340NVD last modified
2026-10-31FIRST EPSS score

CISA required action

“Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.” — CISA KEV

What to do

  • Confirm whether you run Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management and which version.
  • Apply the vendor update or mitigation in the advisory.
  • Follow CISA’s required action.
  • Review the vendor guidance on signs of compromise.
  • Track the fix through completion.

References

Sources and dates

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, version 2026.10.30; retrieved 2026-11-01. CISA KEV data: CC0 1.0. No endorsement by CISA.

NVD retrieved: 2026-11-01. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

EPSS scores by FIRST; score date 2026-10-31.

Check your own domain's public security settings

The snapshot checks a domain you own or are authorized to check for DNS, HTTPS/TLS and web-header hygiene. It does not test for this CVE.

Check your own domain's public security settingsBook a scoping call