Sandworm-linked APT and Qilin ransomware affiliates exploit critical Cisco FMC flaws CVE-2026-20079 and CVE-2026-20316

CVE-2026-20079 is an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in the web interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software, caused by an improper system process created at boot time. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit it by sending crafted HTTP requests to the FMC web interface, which allows the execution of script files and commands on the device. A successful exploit grants the attacker root access to the underlying operating system, giving full control of the management platform (CVSS 3.1: 10.0, network-exploitable, no privileges or user interaction required, scope changed). The flaw affects Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) and Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management deployments. Cisco has confirmed the vulnerability is being exploited in active attacks, it carries a 35.9% EPSS score (98th percentile), and CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-09-09.

Do: Upgrade FMC (and SCC Firewall Management tenants) to the fixed release specified in Cisco's advisory, prioritizing internet-exposed or externally reachable management interfaces; CISA KEV action applies to federal agencies under BOD 26-04. Until patching, restrict FMC web interface access to trusted management networks and VPNs and check devices for signs of exploitation such as unexpected script execution, unfamiliar processes, or root-level changes. Triage per CISA's Forensics Triage Requirements if compromise is suspected.

CVE-2026-20131 is a deserialization of untrusted data flaw (CWE-502) in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software and Cisco Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can trigger it by sending crafted serialized data to the exposed management interface. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary Java code as root on the affected device, giving full control of the central platform that manages Cisco firewall policy. Any organization running FMC or managing firewalls through SCC is potentially affected; specific version ranges have not yet been published in the available data. The flaw was added to CISA KEV on 2026-03-19 with known ransomware use, and EPSS assigns a ~31% probability of exploitation within 30 days (98th percentile), though no public proof-of-concept is known.

Do: Check Cisco's advisory for fixed releases and upgrade all FMC and SCC-managed deployments as soon as patched versions are identified, since version ranges are not yet in this data; until patched, restrict the FMC/SCC web-based management interface to trusted management networks or VPN access. Given the CISA KEV listing (added 2026-03-19) with known ransomware use, treat this as a high-priority patch and confirm whether BOD 22-01 remediation deadlines apply to your organization.

Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC), formerly Firepower Management Center, contains a use of hard-coded password vulnerability (CWE-259) that allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to an affected system. By authenticating with the built-in hard-coded credentials for a low-privileged account, the attacker can gain access to sensitive data within the impacted systems. Any organization running an affected Cisco FMC deployment is exposed, particularly where the management interface is reachable from untrusted networks. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-07-29, indicating active exploitation in the wild, and related reporting describes active exploitation of FMC vulnerabilities. No CVSS score or public proof-of-concept is yet available, but EPSS assigns a 9.8% probability of exploitation within 30 days (95th percentile).

Do: Upgrade FMC to the fixed release per Cisco's security advisory, as no specific fixed version is provided in this data. Until patched, restrict access to the FMC management interface, audit recent logins against the affected low-privileged accounts, and rotate or remove any hard-coded credentials. Federal agencies must apply mitigations per CISA BOD 26-04 given the KEV listing dated 2026-07-29.