Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format Vulnerability

Summary

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager contains a storing passwords in a recoverable format vulnerability that allows an authenticated, local attacker to gain DCA user privileges by accessing a credential file for the DCA user on the filesystem as a low-privileged user.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-20128 is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. CISA remediation deadline: 2026-04-23. Treat remediation as urgent.

Operator check

Please adhere to CISA’s guidelines to assess exposure and mitigate risks associated with Cisco SD-WAN devices as outlines 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.

Sources