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MediumCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

Arbitrary File Overwrite in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager API

IdentifiersCVE-2026-20122CWE-648· Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs

CVE-2026-20122 is a vulnerability in the API of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager that allows an authenticated remote attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the local filesystem. According to the provided Cisco description, the issue is caused by improper file handling in the API interface of an affected system. An attacker with valid read-only credentials and API access can upload a malicious file and cause arbitrary file overwrite on the target appliance. Successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation to vManage user privileges. The provided context also notes this flaw has been observed in the wild and has been chained with other Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-20128 and CVE-2026-20133, to obtain broader unauthorized access.

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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 arbitrary overwrite of local files on the Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager system. This can be used to alter application or system state and escalate privileges from a low-privileged authenticated API user to vManage user privileges. In observed attack chains, the vulnerability has contributed to unauthorized access to the SD-WAN management plane and subsequent deployment of web shells and other post-exploitation tooling.

Mitigation

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

If immediate patching is not possible, restrict access to the SD-WAN Manager API and management interfaces to dedicated administrative networks only, remove direct internet exposure where feasible, and tightly limit API access to only required accounts. Review Cisco hunt and hardening guidance, monitor for indicators of compromise and unauthorized file uploads, inspect authentication and application logs for suspicious API activity, and investigate systems for signs of chained exploitation with related SD-WAN vulnerabilities. Preserve logs and forensic data and engage Cisco TAC if compromise is suspected.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager to a fixed software release as specified by Cisco's security advisory. The provided context indicates Cisco released patches for this vulnerability in February 2026 and that CISA subsequently added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Organizations should follow Cisco's upgrade matrix and vendor guidance for the appropriate supported fixed release, and preserve forensic artifacts before upgrading if compromise is suspected.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

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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 SystemsCatalyst SD-WAN Managerapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence1

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware28

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures1

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

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

Social activity39

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.