CVE-2026-76460: Cisco Identity Services Engine Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs Vulnerability

In short

Cisco Identity Services Engine has a weakness classified as incorrect use of privileged APIs (CWE-648). CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-09-16. NVD lists CVSS 3.1 at 10 CRITICAL.

What it is

“Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) contain an incorrect use of privileged APIs vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to the affected device by bypassing the web-based management interface.” — CISA KEV, retrieved 2026-11-01

“A vulnerability in an API of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication. This vulnerability is due to insufficient authentication control on an API endpoint. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to an affected API endpoint. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the affected device by bypassing the web-based management interface.” — NVD, retrieved 2026-11-01

Who is affected

Cisco Identity Services Engine. NVD lists the following versions as affected:

• Cisco Identity Services Engine: version 3.1.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine: version 3.2.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine: version 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine: version 3.4.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine: version 3.5.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector: version 3.1.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector: version 3.2.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector: version 3.3.0
• Cisco Identity Services Engine Passive Identity Connector: version 3.4.0

Exploitation status

CISA KEV added: 2026-09-16. Known ransomware campaign use: Not reported by CISA. Due date CISA set for US federal civilian agencies: 2026-09-19.

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: 75.60%; percentile 99.52; score date 2026-10-31. EPSS estimates the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

CWE: CWE-648.

Timeline

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 Identity Services Engine 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

• Mitigation, Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ISE-ABP-VNSW7Tn5
• NVD detail
• CVE.org record
• CISA KEV catalog

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.