CVE-2026-20098
Published: 04 February 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-20098 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Cisco Meeting Management. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 27.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly addresses the core issue of improper input validation in the web-based management interface, preventing crafted HTTP requests that enable arbitrary file uploads.
Mitigates the vulnerability through timely flaw remediation, including application of the vendor-provided patch referenced in the Cisco Security Advisory.
Reduces privilege escalation risk by enforcing least privilege for the video operator role, limiting the ability to overwrite root-processed system files.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Vulnerability in web-based management interface enables authenticated remote file upload overwriting system files for root RCE, directly mapping to public-facing app exploitation (T1190), privilege escalation via exploitation (T1068), and Unix shell command execution (T1059.004).
NVD Description
A vulnerability in the Certificate Management feature of Cisco Meeting Management could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files, execute arbitrary commands, and elevate privileges to root on an affected system. This vulnerability is due to improper input…
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validation in certain sections of the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload arbitrary files to the affected system. The malicious files could overwrite system files that are processed by the root system account and allow arbitrary command execution with root privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid credentials for a user account with at least the role of video operator.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2026-20098 is a vulnerability in the Certificate Management feature of Cisco Meeting Management. The issue arises from improper input validation in certain sections of the web-based management interface, which could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files, execute arbitrary commands, and elevate privileges to root on an affected system.
An attacker must have valid credentials for a user account with at least the video operator role to exploit this vulnerability. By sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected system, the attacker can upload arbitrary files that overwrite system files processed by the root system account, enabling arbitrary command execution with root privileges. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is associated with CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type).
The Cisco Security Advisory provides details on mitigation and available patches at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cmm-file-up-kY47n8kK.
Details
- CWE(s)