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Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (formerly vManage) is affected by CVE-2026-76504, an actively exploited API authentication bypass. A crafted HTTP request can bypass authentication for a specific endpoint and obtain API access as the admin user without logging in. Cisco says it learned of active exploitation in September 2026. The durable fix is to upgrade to the first fixed release for your branch; Cisco lists no workaround that fully addresses the vulnerability.
What CVE-2026-76504 does
CVE-2026-76504 stems from improper handling of URI encoding in an HTTP request. An unauthenticated remote attacker can craft a request that evades an authentication rule protecting a specific API endpoint and gain API access as the admin user. Cisco rates the flaw CVSS 9.8, a severity score rather than a measure of how many systems have been compromised.
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Cisco’s Product Security Incident Response Team became aware of active exploitation in September 2026. Cisco published its advisory on September 30 and updated it October 2, 2026. The company says it found the issue while resolving a TAC support case. Read Cisco’s advisory for CVE-2026-76504.
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Which releases are affected, and what fixes the flaw?
Cisco says Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager is affected regardless of system configuration. Use the fixed release for your deployed branch; there is no single version number that applies to every branch.
| Deployed release branch | First fixed release or action |
|---|---|
| Earlier than 20.9 | Migrate to a fixed release |
| 20.9 | 20.9.10.1 |
| 20.12 | 20.12.8.2 |
| 20.15 | 20.15.6.1 |
| 20.18 | 20.18.4.1 |
| 26.1 | 26.1.2.1 |
| 26.2 | 26.2.1 |
| Cisco Managed Cloud 20.15 | 20.15.605 is fixed; no user action is required. Customers can check status in the service GUI. |
Confirm the currently supported release and upgrade path in Cisco’s advisory and release compatibility guidance before scheduling an upgrade, since supported releases and remediation details can change.
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How to check for signs of possible compromise
First identify the Manager’s deployed release and compare it with the fixed-release table. Then preserve and review relevant logs. Cisco recommends checking for suspicious requests in these files:
/var/log/nms/containers/service-proxy/serviceproxy-access.log: look forj_security_checkrequests from unknown or unauthorized IP addresses./var/log/nms/vmanage-server.log: look for corresponding requests involving usernames beginning withviptela-reserved-.
Cisco’s advisory gives %6a (an encoded “j”) as an example of URI encoding, but says an attacker could encode any single character. Do not limit log review to that one encoding.
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These patterns are investigative leads, not conclusive proof. Cisco cautions that some indicators may occur during standard operations; compare any match with your environment’s expected users, network paths and normal activity before drawing conclusions. A log match by itself does not establish that managed devices were accessed or changed.
Preserve evidence and request Cisco assistance
Follow your organization’s incident-response process before changing settings or taking actions that could affect evidence. Cisco encourages customers who want TAC review to collect an admin-tech file using request admin-tech and open a Severity 3 case titled with CVE-2026-76504. Coordinate evidence collection and any response actions with the appropriate internal teams.
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What to do while arranging an upgrade
Cisco states that no workaround addresses CVE-2026-76504. For on-premises deployments, it recommends restricting access from unsecured networks and allowing only known, trusted hosts through a filtering device as an interim exposure-reduction measure. This limits who can reach the Manager; it does not remove the vulnerability.
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Choose the response for your deployment
| Action | What it achieves | Deployment and operational notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade to the branch’s fixed release | Durable remediation identified by Cisco | Use the fixed version for the deployed branch and confirm Cisco’s current compatibility and upgrade guidance. |
| Restrict network access | Interim reduction in exposure; does not fix the flaw | Cisco’s guidance applies to on-premises environments: restrict unsecured-network access and permit only known, trusted hosts through a filtering device. |
| Enable the Live Protect shield | Temporary, partial protection; does not fix the flaw | May prevent legitimate users using URI encoding from logging in. |
| Cisco Managed Cloud 20.15.605 | The listed cloud release is fixed | Cisco says no user action is required; check status in the service GUI. |
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