CVE-2026-76450 Overview
CVE-2026-76450 is a SQL and Hibernate Query Language (HQL) injection vulnerability affecting Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC). The flaw resides in affected API endpoints that fail to properly validate user-supplied input before constructing database queries. An authenticated remote attacker with valid administrative credentials can send crafted requests to execute arbitrary SQL or HQL statements against the underlying database. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to view or modify data beyond their authorized scope. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-564: SQL Injection: Hibernate.
Critical Impact
Authenticated administrators can execute arbitrary SQL or HQL queries against the Cisco ISE backend database, enabling unauthorized read or modification of stored data.
Affected Products
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Cisco ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC)
- Specific fixed release information is available in the Cisco Security Advisory
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-16 - CVE-2026-76450 published to NVD
- 2026-09-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-76450
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability affects API endpoints exposed by Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC that build backend database queries using user-supplied parameters. The affected APIs concatenate or interpolate input directly into SQL statements or Hibernate Query Language expressions without adequate sanitization or parameterization. An attacker holding administrative credentials can submit crafted parameter values that alter query structure. Modified queries execute with the privileges of the ISE database user, permitting arbitrary reads and writes against tables that the authenticated role would not normally reach through the standard interface.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of user-supplied input passed to the affected APIs before it is incorporated into database queries. Rather than using parameterized queries or bound Hibernate parameters, the affected code paths interpret attacker-controlled strings as part of the query grammar. This aligns with CWE-564, which covers Hibernate query construction that permits injection of HQL syntax.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the ISE management interface and valid administrative credentials. The attacker issues a crafted HTTPS request to a vulnerable API endpoint with malicious SQL or HQL fragments embedded in a parameter. The application server passes the tainted input to the persistence layer, which executes the composite query. The attacker receives query results in the API response or observes side effects through subsequent state changes. The requirement for administrative credentials limits the attacker population but does not eliminate risk in environments where administrative access is broadly delegated or where credentials are compromised through other means.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Cisco Security Advisory for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-76450
Indicators of Compromise
- Administrative API requests containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, UNION, SELECT, or HQL keywords like from and where in unexpected parameter positions
- Unusual database query patterns or unexpected table access originating from the ISE application service account
- Administrative session activity from source addresses that do not match documented administrator workstations
Detection Strategies
- Enable and review ISE administrative audit logs for anomalous API calls made by administrator accounts, particularly to management APIs not routinely used
- Correlate authenticated administrative sessions with backend database query logs to identify malformed or unexpected query structures
- Alert on repeated 4xx or 5xx responses from ISE APIs that may indicate injection probing attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward ISE syslog and audit records to a centralized log platform for retention and correlation
- Monitor for privileged administrative account use outside of change windows or documented maintenance activity
- Track the creation, modification, or export of ISE database records that fall outside normal administrative workflows
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-76450
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed software releases identified in the Cisco Security Advisory
- Audit ISE administrative accounts and revoke credentials that are no longer required
- Enforce multi-factor authentication for all ISE administrative logins to raise the cost of credential compromise
- Restrict network access to ISE management interfaces to a defined set of administrator subnets
Patch Information
Cisco has published fixed software addressing this vulnerability. Consult the Cisco Security Advisory: Multi-SQL Injection for the list of affected releases and the corresponding fixed versions for both Cisco ISE and Cisco ISE-PIC. Cisco has not identified workarounds that fully address this vulnerability; upgrading to a fixed release is the recommended remediation.
Workarounds
- Limit administrative role assignments to the smallest practical set of personnel and use role-based access control to reduce the impact of any single compromised account
- Segment the ISE management network so only authorized jump hosts can reach the administrative APIs
- Rotate administrative credentials and review audit logs for suspicious API activity while planning the upgrade
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.