How severe is CVE-2026-20160?

CVE-2026-20160 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-20160 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-20160?

CVE-2026-20160 affects Cisco Smart Software Manager On-prem. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-20160?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2026-20160 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-20160 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-17956.

When was CVE-2026-20160 published?

CVE-2026-20160 was published on 2026-04-01 and last updated on 2026-07-01.

CVE-2026-20160

CVE-2026-20160 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-prem with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-668.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-17956
Weakness: CWE-668
Affected product: Cisco Smart Software Manager On-prem
Published: 2026-04-01
Last modified: 2026-07-01

Description

A vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected SSM On-Prem host. This vulnerability is due to the unintentional exposure of an internal service. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the API of the exposed service. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-20160?: A vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected SSM On-Prem host. This vulnerability is due to the unintentional exposure of an internal service. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the API of the exposed service. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges.
How severe is CVE-2026-20160?: CVE-2026-20160 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-20160 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-20160?: CVE-2026-20160 affects Cisco Smart Software Manager On-prem. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-20160?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-20160 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2026-20160 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-17956.
When was CVE-2026-20160 published?: CVE-2026-20160 was published on 2026-04-01 and last updated on 2026-07-01.

References

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ssm-cli-execution-cHUcWuNr

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:smart_software_manager_on-prem:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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