CVE-2026-20174
A vulnerability in the Metadata update feature of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to write arbitrary files to an affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of the metadata update file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a metadata update file and manually uploading it to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to write arbitrary files to the underlying operating system as the root user. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials. Note: Manual uploading of metadata files is typical for Air-Gap environments but not for Cisco Intersight Cloud connected devices. However, the manual upload option exists for both deployments. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability. This advisory is available at the following link: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ndi-afw-rJuRC5dZ Security Impact Rating: Medium CVE: CVE-2026-20174
CSIRTS triage
- What
- A vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to write arbitrary files to the system.
- Who is affected
- Authenticated users with administrative credentials on Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights.
- Urgency
- Remediation is important due to the medium severity and potential for unauthorized file manipulation.
- Action
- Update to the latest software version released by Cisco to mitigate this vulnerability.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.49% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 39% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (1)
- mediumCisco Nexus Dashboard Insights Arbitrary File Write Vulnerabilitycisco-psirt · 2026-04-01
External references
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