Executive Risk Summary
"A vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to the unintentional exposure of an internal service, which could be exploited by sending a crafted request to the API of the exposed service."
Anticipated Attack Path
- 1. An attacker discovers the exposed internal service through reconnaissance
- 2. The attacker crafts a malicious request to the API of the exposed service
- 3. The attacker executes arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges
Am I Vulnerable?
- Is my SSM On-Prem version affected by this vulnerability?
- Is the internal service exposed to the internet or accessible by unauthorized users?
- Have I applied the latest security patches and updates to my SSM On-Prem installation?
Operational Audit Arsenal
Target Type Application
Target Asset SSM On-Prem
Standard Path Management Plane / API
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
Potential disruption to SSM On-Prem services during patch application
Internal Work Notes
CVE-2026-20160: Unauthenticated remote command execution vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem, requiring immediate patching and security review.
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Intelligence Sources
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Data compiled from NVD, MSRC, and CISA KEV Catalog. Intelligence synthesized via AI. Scripts provided for diagnostic purposes under MIT License.