Critical severity · published Mar 4, 2026
CVE-2026-20079
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Authentication Bypass Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
In wildKEV
10.0
CVSS
88.5%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
Description
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. 
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)88.5% · higher than 100% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed Sep 9, 2026
Federal remediation dueSep 12, 2026
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
CS
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) · Cisco
7.0.0; 7.0.0.1; 7.0.1; 7.1.0; 7.0.1.1; 7.1.0.1; +34 more · source: vendor
SF
Secure Firewall Management Center · Cisco
7.0.0; 7.0.0.1; 7.0.1; 7.0.1.1; 7.0.2; 7.0.2.1; +34 more · source: NVD
In the news
BreachCritical
Attackers Exploit Critical Cisco FMC Flaw to deploy Qilin ransomware
Three threat groups are exploiting two Cisco FMC flaws to steal credentials, gain root access and deploy Qilin ransomware. Cisco Talos says three separate threat groups are exploiting two recently patched Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) flaws. The main target is CVE-2026-20079, a critical authentication bypass that lets unauthenticated attackers remotely bypass security controls, run […]
Sep 11, 2026·Security Affairs
VulnerabilityCritical
Cisco FMC Flaws Exploited to Steal Credentials and Deploy Qilin Ransomware
Cisco has revealed that three distinct threat clusters linked to ransomware and state-sponsored attacks have been exploiting two recently patched Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) vulnerabilities. The attacks leverage CVE-2026-20079 (CVSS score: 10.0), an authentication bypass vulnerability in the web interface of FMC software that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass
Sep 11, 2026·The Hacker News
VulnerabilityCritical
U.S. CISA adds Cisco, Google Chromium V8, Fortinet, and Citrix NetScaler flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) adds Cisco, Google Chromium V8, Fortinet, and Citrix NetScaler flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added the following vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog: CVE-2026-20079 (CVSS score of 10.0) is an authentication bypass issue. The flaw resides in Cisco Secure […]
Sep 10, 2026·Security Affairs
VulnerabilityCritical
Cisco FMC bugs exploited by nation-state and ransomware actors (CVE-2026-20079, CVE-2026-20316)
State-sponsored and financially-motivated attackers are actively exploiting CVE-2026-20079, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC), which is used for centrally managing multiple Cisco Secure Firewall devices across a network. Two FMC vulnerabilities under active attack “Cisco Talos is actively tracking the exploitation of two vulnerabilities in Cisco’s Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software,” the company’s researchers confirmed on Wednesday. These are the above mentioned CVE-2026-20079 and CVE-2026-20316, which Cisco flagged … More → The post Cisco FMC bugs exploited by nation-state and ransomware actors (CVE-2026-20079, CVE-2026-20316) appeared first on Help Net Security .
Sep 10, 2026·Help Net Security
VulnerabilityCritical
CISA Flags Exploited Cisco, Citrix, Fortinet Flaws, Sets Sept. 12 Federal Patch Deadline
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Wednesday added three flaws, each impacting Cisco, Citrix, and Fortinet, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to apply the patches by September 12, 2026. The vulnerabilities are listed below - CVE-2026-20079 (CVSS score: 10.0) - An authentication
Sep 10, 2026·The Hacker News
VulnerabilityCritical
Cisco confirms CVE-2026-20079 Secure FMC flaw exploited in attacks
Cisco has confirmed that a maximum-severity authentication bypass vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-20079 in its Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) software is being actively exploited in attacks. [...]
Sep 9, 2026·BleepingComputer
Affected product
CS
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
Cisco
More from Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
10.0
CVE-2026-20131
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Software Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
5.3
CVE-2026-20316
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Software Static Credential Vulnerability
9.9
CVE-2026-20332
Cisco Secure Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Secure Firewall Threat Defense Software and Secure Firewall Management Center Software Hardening Release - Improper Access Control Vulnerabilities
9.9
CVE-2026-20324
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center sftunnel Root Arbitrary Code Exectution Vulnerability
9.9
CVE-2026-20330
Cisco Secure Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Secure Firewall Threat Defense Software and Secure Firewall Management Center Software Hardening Release - Improper Neutralization Vulnerabilities