CVE-2026-20242

Critical

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.

SeverityCritical
CVSS9.8
Exploit probability—
ProductCisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
PublishedSep 16, 2026
First seenSep 16, 2026

How to fix

Sources list no fixed version or patch link for this vulnerability.

Affected products

ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Cisco Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)7.0.0, 7.0.0.1, 7.0.1, 7.0.1.1, 7.0.2, 7.2.0, 7.0.2.1, 7.0.3, 7.2.0.1, 7.0.4, 7.2.1, 7.0.5, 7.3.0, 7.2.2, 7.3.1, 7.2.3, 7.2.3.1, 7.2.4, 7.0.6, 7.2.4.1, 7.2.5, 7.3.1.1, 7.4.0, 7.0.6.1, 7.2.5.1, 7.4.1, 7.2.6, 7.4.1.1, 7.0.6.2, 7.2.7, 7.2.5.2, 7.3.1.2, 7.2.8, 7.6.0, 7.4.2, 7.2.8.1, 7.0.6.3, 7.4.2.1, 7.2.9, 7.0.7, 7.7.0, 7.4.2.2, 7.2.10, 7.6.1, 7.4.2.3, 7.0.8, 7.6.2, 7.7.10, 7.2.10.1, 7.0.8.1, 7.6.2.1, 7.2.10.2, 7.7.10.1, 7.4.2.4, 7.4.3, 7.6.3, 7.7.11, 7.6.4, 10.0.0, 7.4.4, 7.4.5, 7.0.9, 7.2.11, 7.7.12, 7.6.5, 7.4.6, 10.0.1, 7.4.7—

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