CVE-2026-20079 remediation guide

Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)

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 is due to an improper system process that is created at boot time. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute a variety of scripts and commands that allow root access to the devic...

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Research in progress

A verified fixed-version field is not available. Use the linked NVD and supporting references, then confirm the vendor-supported path before changing production systems.

ProductCisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)

Affected versions>= 7.0.0, >= 7.0.0.1, >= 7.0.1, >= 7.1.0, >= 7.0.1.1, >= 7.1.0.1, >= 7.0.2, >= 7.2.0, >= 7.0.2.1, >= 7.0.3, >= 7.1.0.2, >= 7.2.0.1, >= 7.0.4, >= 7.2.1, >= 7.0.5, >= 7.3.0, >= 7.2.2, >= 7.3.1, >= 7.2.3, >= 7.1.0.3

Fixed versionsNo verified fixed-version field is available yet

Priority basisPriority · CVSS 10 · EPSS 37.7%

Identify the affected asset

Confirm whether Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) is installed, record the deployed version and installation path, and identify exposed interfaces.

Record the product name, package or appliance identifier, and installed version.
Identify internet-facing, administrative, API, and internal access paths.
Preserve the pre-change configuration and relevant service logs.

Validate the affected-version match

Compare the deployed version with the affected range: >= 7.0.0, >= 7.0.0.1, >= 7.0.1, >= 7.1.0, >= 7.0.1.1, >= 7.1.0.1, >= 7.0.2, >= 7.2.0, >= 7.0.2.1, >= 7.0.3, >= 7.1.0.2, >= 7.2.0.1, >= 7.0.4, >= 7.2.1, >= 7.0.5, >= 7.3.0, >= 7.2.2, >= 7.3.1, >= 7.2.3, >= 7.1.0.3. Treat incomplete inventory results as unresolved.

Prioritize with independent signals

FIRST EPSS indicates an elevated probability of exploitation. Combine this signal with asset criticality, exposure, compensating controls, and business impact.

Apply supported remediation

Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path. Current fixed-version status: No verified fixed-version field is available yet. Preserve configuration and rollback material before change.

Verify the result

Confirm the resulting version, service health, authentication and access paths, monitoring coverage, and relevant security logs.

Confirm the expected version and package state.
Run a functional health check for critical service paths.
Review authentication, error, application, and security monitoring logs.
Reassess exposure if the supported fix cannot be applied.

Operational boundary

This page does not replace the vendor advisory, support contract, change-management process, or recovery plan. Do not infer that an asset is unaffected from an incomplete inventory query or a missing fixed-version field.