Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain low-priv ISE admin credentials
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DeliverySend crafted request with SQL payload
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ExploitBypass input validation
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ExecutionInjected SQL executes on backend DB
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ImpactRead or modify identity/authorization data
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Parameterized queries, prepared statements
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Persistence The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Requires valid low-privileged administrative credentials to the Cisco ISE management interface (PR:L) - this is an authenticated attack, not exploitable by anonymous remote actors. No user interaction is needed (UI:N) and the vector is network-reachable (AV:N) to the ISE admin/API surface. The affected feature is an input-handling path that fails to validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into a database query; exploitation is via a single crafted request. Limiting factors: the authentication requirement and the assumption that management interfaces are network-restricted to trusted admin networks (a common ISE hardening practice), which further reduces realistic exposure. Affected releases span ISE 3.1 through 3.5 including numerous patch levels. |
| Impact | This is a genuine but access-gated issue rather than a drop-everything emergency. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N, 7.1) shows a network-reachable, low-complexity SQL injection, but PR:L is the decisive limiter: the attacker must already hold valid low-privileged administrative credentials on the ISE deployment, so this is a post-authentication privilege/data-integrity abuse, not an anonymous internet attack. No EPSS score, no CISA KEV listing, and no public POC were provided, so the correct exploitation status is 'no public exploit identified at time of analysis' - there is no evidence of active or widespread exploitation. Signals are internally consistent (Cisco is the sole reporter, single advisory reference cisco-sa-ise-sql-inj-3QTKR947), with no conflict between the description and the vector. The primary impact skews to integrity (I:H - read or modify database contents) with limited confidentiality (C:L) and no availability impact, which fits a SQLi that can tamper with authorization/identity data. Bottom line: real priority for any org running Cisco ISE because it is core NAC/identity infrastructure and low-priv admin roles are commonly delegated, but the authentication precondition keeps it below the unauthenticated-critical tier. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who has obtained or been granted a low-privileged ISE admin account (e.g., a help-desk or read-oriented role) sends a crafted request containing malicious SQL to an affected web/API endpoint. Because user input is not properly validated, the injected SQL executes against the backend database, letting the attacker read sensitive records or modify identity/authorization data beyond their intended role. No public exploit code has been identified, so exploitation currently requires the attacker to develop the injection themselves. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Sep 16, 2026
SQL injection in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) 3.1.0 through 3.5 lets an authenticated attacker with low-privileged administrative credentials read or modify data in the underlying database by sending a single crafted request to the management interface; no user interaction is required and the vector is network-reachable (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N, 7.1). Because exploitation is gated behind valid administrative credentials, the practical exposure depends heavily on how tightly ISE management and API interfaces are restricted to trusted admin networks. Integrity impact is rated High while confidentiality is Low and availability is unaffected, so the realistic worst case is unauthorized tampering with - rather than mass exfiltration or denial of service of - ISE-stored data; no public exploit code was identified at time of analysis and the issue is not confirmed actively exploited (CISA KEV).
RemediationAI
Cisco is the reporting source and the advisory at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-sql-inj-3QTKR947 is the authoritative source for fixed software - no explicit fixed version is provided in the available intelligence, so confirm the validated fixed release for your train against that advisory before upgrading and verify the patch level actually appears on the affected list (ISE 3.1.0 through 3.5.0 including numerous patch levels) rather than assuming a current patch means you are covered. Until the upgrade is applied, the most effective compensating control is to restrict reach of the ISE management and API interfaces to trusted administrative networks only - place the admin UI/API behind management VLANs, firewall ACLs, or a bastion/jump host, since the vulnerability is authenticated (PR:L) and an attacker who cannot reach the management surface cannot trigger the crafted request; the trade-off is operational inconvenience for administrators who currently manage ISE from user or remote networks, so plan corresponding access paths. Additionally, audit and reduce the population of low-privileged administrative accounts, enforce MFA on ISE admin logins, and alert on anomalous database-touching requests or unexpected changes to identity/policy records, since the assessed impact is primarily integrity (I:H) and tampering may be silent; these measures reduce likelihood and improve detection but do not eliminate the underlying injection, so patching remains the primary fix. No public exploit code was identified at time of analysis and the issue is not confirmed actively exploited, so remediation can be scheduled rather than treated as an emergency, but administrator credentials should be rotated if compromise is suspected.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
The flaw is an instance of CWE-89, improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, in Cisco Identity Services Engine software (CPE cpe:2.3:a:cisco:cisco_identity_services_engine_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*), the policy and identity platform used for 802.1X, MAB, guest, and posture enforcement. An input-handling path in the ISE management/administrative surface fails to validate user-supplied input before it is incorporated into a database query, so a crafted request causes attacker-influenced SQL to reach the backend datastore. The assigned vector shows the attack is launched over the network but requires low-privileged administrative credentials (PR:L), confirming this is an authenticated issue rather than an anonymous pre-authentication bug, and no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the injection's impact is contained to the ISE application and its database rather than crossing a trust boundary into other components, and the resulting impact profile (C:L/I:H/A:N) indicates the attacker can read some data and, more significantly, modify records in the underlying ISE database - which could affect authentication policy, identity records, or administrative configuration depending on the query reachable from the vulnerable endpoint.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Authenticated low-priv admin (PR:L) over the network (AV:N/AC:L) performing SQLi; read gives limited C:L, data modification gives I:H, no availability impact and same-security-scope database (S:U).
Primary rating from Vendor (cisco).
CVSS VectorVendor: cisco
DescriptionCVE.org
A vulnerability in Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct SQL injection attacks on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have at least low-privileged administrative credentials.
This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read or modify data in the underlying database.
Executive ViewAI
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) versions 3.1.0 through 3.5 are affected by a high-severity SQL injection flaw that an authenticated attacker with low-privileged administrative credentials could exploit to read or modify data in the underlying database. Although no public exploit identified at time of analysis and the issue is not confirmed actively exploited (CISA KEV), the potential for unauthorized tampering with sensitive identity and access management data is a significant concern for organizational security and compliance. Leadership should focus on tightening access controls around ISE management interfaces and enhancing monitoring until Cisco releases a patch.
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: restrict ISE management and API interfaces to trusted administrative networks only; enforce least privilege and strong authentication for administrative accounts; monitor database and administrative activity for anomalies; consider virtual patching via WAF/IPS if applicable.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.
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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector (ISE-PIC) contain multiple internally discovered
EUVD-2026-81157
GHSA-j6jc-3rmg-h4f7
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Exploit-DB