A vulnerability in the External Database Access feature of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of a user-supplied Java byte stream from a host that is configured in the external database access list. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted, serialized Java byte stream to a specific TCP port of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device and elevate privileges to root.
Notes:
This vulnerability can be exploited only by an attacker who has control of a host in the external database access list.
If the FMC management interface does not have public internet access, the attack surface that is associated with this vulnerability is reduced.
This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of a user-supplied Java byte stream from a host that is configured in the external database access list. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted, serialized Java byte stream to a specific TCP port of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device and elevate privileges to root.
Notes:
This vulnerability can be exploited only by an attacker who has control of a host in the external database access list.
If the FMC management interface does not have public internet access, the attack surface that is associated with this vulnerability is reduced.
Project Subscriptions
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Advisories
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Fixes
Solution
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Workaround
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References
History
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 20:15:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A vulnerability in the External Database Access feature of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of a user-supplied Java byte stream from a host that is configured in the external database access list. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted, serialized Java byte stream to a specific TCP port of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device and elevate privileges to root. Notes: This vulnerability can be exploited only by an attacker who has control of a host in the external database access list. If the FMC management interface does not have public internet access, the attack surface that is associated with this vulnerability is reduced. | |
| Title | Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Software Java Deserialization Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-502 | |
| References |
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| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
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Projects
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: cisco
Published:
Updated: 2026-09-16T20:08:27.904Z
Reserved: 2025-10-08T11:59:15.400Z
Link: CVE-2026-20242
No data.
Status : Awaiting Analysis
Published: 2026-09-16T20:17:22.697
Modified: 2026-09-16T20:35:23.620
Link: CVE-2026-20242
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OpenCVE Enrichment
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Weaknesses