CRLF Injection Vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software Management Interface

CVE-2026-20113

What is CVE-2026-20113?

CVE-2026-20113 is a vulnerability found in the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS XE Software, specifically within its Cisco IOx application hosting environment. This vulnerability arises from the inadequate validation of user inputs, which can be exploited by unauthenticated, remote attackers to execute a Carriage Return Line Feed (CRLF) injection attack. Such an attack could manipulate the flow of log entries, allowing malicious users to arbitrarily inject information into log files or obscure legitimate events. Consequently, organizations relying on Cisco IOS XE Software for network management could face severe disruptions, compromising the integrity and reliability of their logging mechanisms and overall security posture.

Potential impact of CVE-2026-20113

1. Log Manipulation: Attackers could craft inputs that alter log files, potentially obscuring critical logs that are essential for monitoring activities and troubleshooting. This manipulation makes it difficult for organizations to trace unauthorized access or assess the impact of an attack.

2. Security Oversight: By exploiting this vulnerability, malicious actors could obscure legitimate log entries, leading to gaps in security oversight. This could leave organizations unaware of ongoing attacks or vulnerabilities, ultimately increasing their risk exposure.

3. Increased Attack Surface: The existence of CRLF injection vulnerabilities typically broadens the attack surface, allowing for additional vectors through which attackers might exploit the network. This can lead to compounded risks, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute further malicious activities or escalate privileges.

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