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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2026-20045

CriticalExploitedPublic exploit

Cisco Unified Communications Products Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Jan 21, 2026 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2026-20045 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Unified Communications Manager (Cisco), Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence Service (Cisco), Unity Connection (Cisco).
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jan 21, 2026. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 4.5% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including Unified Communications Manager 14su5, Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence Service 14su5, Unity Connection 14su5.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

9.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

4.5%

Higher than 91.4% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2026-20045 brief as a PDF

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Description

A vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM), Cisco Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition (Unified CM SME), Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM & Presence Service (Unified CM IM&P), Cisco Unity Connection, and Cisco Webex Calling Dedicated Instance could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input in HTTP requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a sequence of crafted HTTP requests to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain user-level access to the underlying operating system and then elevate privileges to root. Note: Cisco has assigned this security advisory a Security Impact Rating (SIR) of Critical rather than High as the score indicates. The reason is that exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker elevating privileges to root.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVJan 21, 2026Feb 11, 2026Not reported
Industry KEV feedJan 21, 2026Feb 11, 2026Not reported
CIRCL KEVJan 21, 2026Feb 11, 2026Not reported
ENISA EUVDJan 21, 2026n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

7 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Unified Communications ManagerCisco>= 12.5(1)SU214su5
Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence ServiceCisco>= 12.5(1)14su5
Unity ConnectionCisco>= 12.5(1)14su5

Patched Releases

Unified Communications Manager

14su5

Unified Communications Manager Im And Presence Service

14su5

Unity Connection

14su5

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    Jan 21, 2026

  2. Added to CISA KEV

    Jan 21, 2026

  3. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Jan 21, 2026

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Jan 21, 2026

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    Jan 21, 2026

  6. Last updated

    Feb 26, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

References

1 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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