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CVE-2026-20321

Status: Awaiting AnalysisMedium (6.5)—

A vulnerability in the web-based management API for Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of user-controlled command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating using the API and sending crafted input. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device with root-level privileges.

CVSS

Exploitation probability (EPSS)

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).

🎯 ATT&CK techniques

How this vulnerability is exploited and what the attacker gains, in MITRE ATT&CK terms.

AV:N/PR:H/UI:N indica acceso remoto con privilegios administrativos previos (T1210). Explotación de validación insuficiente permite ejecución de comandos arbitrarios como root, logrando T1059 e implícitamente escalada (T1068).

Inferred by our analysis agent from the official description, CVSS vector and CWE, and checked by a supervisor. May contain errors.

🛡️ ATT&CK mitigations that cover these techniques

Threat Intelligence ProgramPrivileged Account ManagementExecution PreventionDisable or Remove Feature or ProgramApplication Isolation and SandboxingExploit Protection

Affected technologies (1)

⚠ AI-inferred from the description — NVD hasn't analyzed this CVE yet, these aren't verified CPEs.

Cisco — Application Policy Infrastructure ControllerAI

CWEs

References

Raw JSON (NVD)

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{
  "id": "CVE-2026-20321",
  "cveTags": [],
  "metrics": {
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      {
        "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
        "ssvcData": {
          "id": "CVE-2026-20321",
          "role": "CISA Coordinator",
          "options": [
            {
              "exploitation": "none"
            },
            {
              "automatable": "no"
            },
            {
              "technicalImpact": "total"
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          "version": "2.0.3",
          "timestamp": "2026-10-08T15:33:24.102382Z"
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          "attackVector": "NETWORK",
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          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
          "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "NONE",
          "privilegesRequired": "HIGH",
          "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"
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        "impactScore": 5.2,
        "exploitabilityScore": 1.2
      }
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  "affected": [
    {
      "source": "psirt@cisco.com",
      "affectedData": [
        {
          "vendor": "Cisco",
          "product": "Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)",
          "versions": [
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              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.3(1d)"
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  "published": "2026-10-07T17:16:55.013",
  "references": [
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      "url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-apic-cmdinj-L6VR4E7",
      "source": "psirt@cisco.com"
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  "vulnStatus": "Awaiting Analysis",
  "weaknesses": [
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      "description": [
        {
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  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "A vulnerability in the web-based management API for Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.\r\n\r\nThis vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of user-controlled command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating using the API and sending crafted input. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device with root-level privileges."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-10-08T20:08:45.857",
  "sourceIdentifier": "psirt@cisco.com"
}