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CVE-2026-203165.3MediumCWE-259

Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Use of Hard-coded Password Vulnerability

Cisco · Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)

Exploited in the wild · in CISA KEV since 29 JulVendor fix availableExploitation attributed to UAT-11823 (per Cisco Talos, SecurityOnline); UAT-11988 (per Cisco Talos, SecurityOnline); UAT-12197 (per Cisco Talos, SecurityOnline); Qilin (per Cisco Talos, Security Affairs); Sandworm (per Cisco Talos, SecurityWeek)
35.1%probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
98th percentile
050100

Higher than 98% of scored CVEs

5.3MediumCVSS 3.1
LowMedium

Federal deadline

CISA KEV · added 29 Jul · catalogue entry

Passed 87 days ago

DescriptionNVD

A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to an affected device using a low-privileged account to access sensitive data within the impacted systems. This vulnerability is due to the presence of static user credentials for a low-privileged account. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using the account to log in to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to log in to the affected system and access sensitive data as the low-privileged user. Note: If the FMC management interface does not have public internet access, the attack surface that is associated with this vulnerability is reduced. Cisco has assigned this security advisory a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of High rather than Medium as the score indicates. The reason is that this vulnerability can be used with other Cisco Secure FMC Software vulnerabilities to elevate privileges.

CISA required action

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

Coverage10 articles · 6 outlets

One row per outlet, in order of first report. First in our coverage: CISA, 29 Jul.

Full timeline
Quiet for 6 weekslast report 17 Sep10 articles6 outlets
29 Jul · CISA first30 Aug15 Sep1 OctNow
  • Wed 29 Jul, 21:10 UTC. CISA, first report. CISA flags Cisco FMC CVE‑2026‑20316 hardcoded password flaw. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Wed 29 Jul, 23:10 UTC. SecurityOnline, its first report on the story. Cisco FMC flaw CVE-2026-20316 lets hackers use hidden credentials. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Thu 30 Jul, 06:50 UTC. SecurityWeek, its first report on the story. Cisco patches zero day flaw in Secure FMC after July attacks. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Thu 30 Jul, 10:00 UTC. Security Affairs, its first report on the story. CISA warns attackers exploit Cisco firewall flaw CVE-2026-20316. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Wed 9 Sep, 23:28 UTC. SecurityOnline. Cisco Warns Attackers Are Exploiting Critical FMC Flaws for Root Access. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Thu 10 Sep, 10:30 UTC. SecurityWeek. Cisco Firewall Flaw Exploited by Sandworm and Qilin Ransomware. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Fri 11 Sep, 07:48 UTC. The Hacker News, its first report on the story. Cisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Web Shells and Ransomware. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Fri 11 Sep, 10:37 UTC. Security Affairs. Cisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Qilin Ransomware. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Mon 14 Sep, 22:16 UTC. Dark Reading, its first report on the story. Russia-linked hackers exploit Cisco firewall flaws to deploy Cyclops Blink. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
  • Thu 17 Sep, 12:30 UTC. SecurityWeek. Cisco Patches Dozens of Flaws as ISE Zero Day Faces Exploitation. Cites a CVE in CISA KEV.
All coveragerunning total10CISA1SecurityOnl…2SecurityWeek3Security Af…2The Hacker…1Dark Reading130 Jul30 Aug30 SepNow
  • First report
  • Article
  • Official notice
  • Running total

Added to CISA KEV

Show as table
10 articles about CVE-2026-20316 from 6 outlets
Published (UTC)OutletHeadline
29 Jul 21:10CISACISA flags Cisco FMC CVE‑2026‑20316 hardcoded password flaw
29 Jul 23:10SecurityOnlineCisco FMC flaw CVE-2026-20316 lets hackers use hidden credentials
30 Jul 06:50SecurityWeekCisco patches zero day flaw in Secure FMC after July attacks
30 Jul 10:00Security AffairsCISA warns attackers exploit Cisco firewall flaw CVE-2026-20316
9 Sep 23:28SecurityOnlineCisco Warns Attackers Are Exploiting Critical FMC Flaws for Root Access
10 Sep 10:30SecurityWeekCisco Firewall Flaw Exploited by Sandworm and Qilin Ransomware
11 Sep 07:48The Hacker NewsCisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Web Shells and Ransomware
11 Sep 10:37Security AffairsCisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Qilin Ransomware
14 Sep 22:16Dark ReadingRussia-linked hackers exploit Cisco firewall flaws to deploy Cyclops Blink
17 Sep 12:30SecurityWeekCisco Patches Dozens of Flaws as ISE Zero Day Faces Exploitation
  1. Cisco Patches Dozens of Flaws as ISE Zero Day Faces Exploitation
    SecurityWeek · mentions it in passing
  2. Russia-linked hackers exploit Cisco firewall flaws to deploy Cyclops Blink
    Dark Reading · mentions it in passing
  3. Cisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Qilin Ransomware
    Security Affairs · mentions it in passing
  4. Cisco Firewall Flaws Exploited to Deploy Web Shells and Ransomware
    The Hacker News · mentions it in passing
  5. Cisco Firewall Flaw Exploited by Sandworm and Qilin Ransomware
    SecurityWeek · mentions it in passing
  6. Cisco Warns Attackers Are Exploiting Critical FMC Flaws for Root Access
    SecurityOnline · mentions it in passing
  7. CISA warns attackers exploit Cisco firewall flaw CVE-2026-20316
    Security Affairs
  8. Cisco patches zero day flaw in Secure FMC after July attacks
    SecurityWeek
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