Arbitrary File Write / Path Traversal in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Web UI
CVE-2026-20262 is a vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (formerly SD-WAN vManage) that allows an authenticated remote attacker to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem. The issue is caused by insufficient validation of user-supplied input during a file upload process at an affected API endpoint, enabling directory/path traversal-style abuse to write attacker-controlled files outside the intended location. Cisco states that exploitation can be performed with valid credentials, including a low-privileged single-task account, by sending crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint. The written file can subsequently be leveraged to escalate privileges to root on the affected system. The vulnerability affects all deployment types regardless of configuration, including on-premises, Cloud-Pro, Cisco-managed cloud, and FedRAMP deployments.
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Impact
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Mitigation
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Exploits
No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.
No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.
Recent activity
23 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
An authenticated remote arbitrary file write vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (formerly vManage) caused by improper validation of user-supplied input during file upload, allowing attackers to create or overwrite files and potentially escalate to root.
A Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager vulnerability caused by insufficient validation of user-supplied input during file uploads, allowing an authenticated remote attacker to create or overwrite files and ultimately escalate to root privileges.
A Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager web UI vulnerability caused by improper validation of user-supplied input during file upload, allowing an authenticated attacker to create or overwrite files and later elevate privileges to root.
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Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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