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Privilege Escalation via CLI Task Group Mapping in Cisco IOS XRv 9000

IdentifiersCVE-2026-20046CWE-266

CVE-2026-20046 is a privilege-escalation vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software affecting IOS XRv 9000 Routers. The flaw is caused by incorrect mapping of a specific CLI command to task groups in the source code. Because the command is mapped improperly, task group-based authorization checks can be bypassed. An authenticated local attacker with a low-privileged account can exploit the issue by invoking the affected CLI command, allowing execution of actions that should require higher privileges. Successful exploitation results in elevation of privileges and full administrative control of the affected device without proper authorization checks.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows an authenticated local attacker to bypass task group-based authorization controls and obtain full administrative control of the affected device. This enables unauthorized administrative actions on the router and effectively defeats intended privilege separation for the affected command path.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If TACACS+ AAA is in use, Cisco provided a workaround by configuring command authorization to restrict access to the affected CLI functionality. This can reduce exposure until fixed software is deployed. Primary mitigation remains upgrading to a fixed release.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Cisco-provided fixed software releases for Cisco IOS XR Software. Cisco has released software updates to address this vulnerability and recommends upgrading to a fixed release immediately. The provided context indicates fixed releases include versions such as 25.2.21 or 25.4.2 as outlined in Cisco's advisory, and that Software Maintenance Updates (SMUs) are available for some platforms.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Cisco SystemsIos Xr Softwareoperating_system

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What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity10

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