CVE-2026-20072 in Identity Services Engine Software
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2026
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to obtain sensitive information from network users that are outside the security group that the attacker is assigned to.
This vulnerability exists because certain files lack proper authorization enforcement. An attacker with administrative privileges and management rights over network users could exploit this vulnerability by exporting the users. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view passwords that are normally not visible to administrators.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine, a critical component in enterprise networks responsible for authentication, authorization, and accounting services. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where an attacker has already obtained authenticated administrative privileges or specific management rights over network users. The core technical deficiency is a failure in proper access control enforcement regarding certain internal files used during user data export operations. While the system correctly restricts visibility of sensitive attributes like passwords for standard administrators, this restriction is bypassed when performing bulk exports due to insufficient validation checks on the exported data payload.
An authenticated remote attacker with administrative privileges can exploit this flaw by initiating a user export function within the management interface. By leveraging the lack of authorization enforcement in these specific files, the attacker can retrieve comprehensive datasets containing network user information that extends beyond their assigned security group permissions. The most significant consequence of this exploitation is the exposure of plaintext or recoverable passwords for users who are not part of the attacker's designated scope. This represents a severe breach of confidentiality and violates the principle of least privilege, as administrative roles typically do require visibility into account structures but should strictly exclude access to credential material unless explicitly authorized through higher-level security protocols.
From an industry standard perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes Improper Authorization, where a user is able to perform actions or access data outside their intended permissions. Furthermore, the exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1078, specifically Valid Accounts, as it relies on legitimate administrative credentials being misused for unauthorized data exfiltration. The ability to export sensitive credential information also relates to CWE-200, Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, highlighting the failure in protecting high-value assets even within trusted management interfaces.
The operational impact is substantial, as compromised user passwords can lead to lateral movement across the network, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to protected resources. Attackers can use these credentials to impersonate legitimate users, bypassing multi-factor authentication if it relies on knowledge-based factors or if session tokens are derived from weak password policies. This undermines the integrity of the entire identity management infrastructure managed by Cisco ISE, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent footholds within the network environment while evading detection mechanisms that rely on monitoring administrative actions rather than credential usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Administrators should apply vendor-provided patches or software updates as soon as they become available to address the authorization logic flaws in the export functionality. In addition, implementing strict role-based access control policies is essential; administrative accounts involved in user management should be segmented from those with credential visibility rights where possible. Monitoring and logging mechanisms must be enhanced to detect unusual bulk export activities initiated by administrative users, particularly when such actions target data sets outside their normal operational scope. Regular audits of administrative privileges and enforcement of the principle of least privilege will help minimize the attack surface for this type of insider threat or compromised account exploitation.