On 2026-09-09, CISA added CVE-2026-20079 (Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management) to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog [2]. The vulnerability is listed in the catalog as "Cisco Firewall Management Center Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability" [2]. CISA requires remediation in accordance with vendor mitigation instructions; see the original text in the body for specific requirements [2].
Backfill: this event became public on Sep 9, 2026 and we added it on Nov 10, 2026. It is not a new event.
CISA Adds Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management Vulnerability CVE-2026-20079 to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
1 min read
- Disclosed
- Sep 9, 2026
- Published
- Nov 10, 2026
- Last updated
- Nov 8, 2026
- CVSS basis
- Our assessment
- 88.7%, higher than 100% of CVEs
- Exploitation and patch status
- ExploitedKEV
- Attack vector
- Vulnerability status
- Actor type
- Motivation
On this page
30-second summary
What happened
Who is affected
Industries mainly affected: Government, Cross-industry
What to do nowOur advice
CISA requires remediation in accordance with vendor mitigation instructions; see the original text in the body for specific requirements [2]
Timeline
Technical details
CISA KEV Listing Record
On 2026-09-09, CISA added CVE-2026-20079 to the catalog for Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management [2].
Original Technical Description
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software and Cisco Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management contain an authentication Bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability that 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. [2]
Official Requirements
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. [2]
Individual Vulnerability Record
The U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD) provides an independent vulnerability record and description for CVE-2026-20079. [1]
References
Official / primary3
- [1]
“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”
- [2]
This site aggregates public information and is not security consulting advice. Test remediation steps before applying.