CVE-2026-20046 Cisco IOS XR Software CLI Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
A local authenticated attacker can exploit a CLI command mapping flaw in Cisco IOS XR to bypass task group checks and gain full administrative control.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-20046?
CVE-2026-20046 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xr, published on 11 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in task group assignment for a specific CLI command in Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges and gain full administrative control of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to incorrect mapping of a command to task groups within the source code. An attacker with a low-privileged account could exploit this vulnerability by using the CLI command to bypass the task group–based checks. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges and perform actions on an affected device without authorization checks.
Weakness: CWE-264
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-20046?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Cisco Ios Xr.
How do I fix CVE-2026-20046?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-20046 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-20046 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-20046 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Ios Xr
- CVE-2020-3118 Cisco IOS XR Software Discovery Protocol Format String
- CVE-2020-3569 Cisco IOS XR Software DVMRP Memory Exhaustion
- CVE-2020-3566 Cisco IOS XR Software DVMRP Memory Exhaustion
- CVE-2010-3035 Cisco IOS XR Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Denial-of-Service
- CVE-2022-20821 Cisco IOS XR Open Port
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jmg4-jjq9-vcrv.