CVE-2026-20040 | IOS XR Software - CLI Operational Intel

Executive Risk Summary

"A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user arguments that are passed to specific CLI commands."

Operational Audit Arsenal

Target Type Firmware

Target Asset IOS XR

Standard Path Router or Network Device

Manual Verification Required

This is a non-Windows asset (Cisco). Use the target asset details and official path provided above to verify your current version against the official vendor advisories listed below.

Patch Impact Forecast

Reboot Required Likely

Network disruption possible during upgrade

Internal Work Notes

CVE-2026-20040: Cisco IOS XR Software CLI vulnerability allowing privilege escalation to root, requiring firmware upgrade to mitigate

Technical Intelligence & Operational Utilities • Delivered Weekly

Intelligence Sources

Official Advisoryhttps://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxr-privesc-bF8D5U4W

Related Cisco Threats

CVE-2026-20079 CVSS 10

Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software

CVE-2026-20127 CVSS 10

Catalyst SD-WAN Controller - Peering Authentication

CVE-2025-20188 CVSS 10

Cisco IOS XE - Wireless LAN Controllers

Data compiled from NVD, MSRC, and CISA KEV Catalog. Intelligence synthesized via AI. Scripts provided for diagnostic purposes under MIT License.