Detect Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Path Traversal Exploitation in CrowdStrike LogScale
Detects exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2026-20262, a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager. Active exploitation has been confirmed by CISA KEV. Attackers can traverse directory boundaries via crafted HTTP requests to access sensitive files outside the web root, potentially exposing credentials, configuration data, or enabling further compromise of the SD-WAN management plane.
MITRE ATT&CK
LogScale Detection Query
#event_simpleName=NetworkReceiveAccept OR #event_simpleName=NetworkConnectIP4
| event_platform=Lin
| ProcessImageFileName IN ("/opt/cisco/sdwan/*", "/usr/bin/vmanage*", "*sdwan*")
| CommandLine = /(\.\.\/|\.\.[%][2][fF]|[%][2][eE][%][2][eE])/i
| CommandLine = /(dataservice|management|template|config)/i
| stats count() AS attempt_count, values(CommandLine) AS commands, values(RemoteAddressIP4) AS remote_ips BY UserName, LocalAddressIP4, attempt_count
| sort attempt_count desc
| search attempt_count >= 1CrowdStrike Falcon CQL query detecting process-level activity on Cisco SD-WAN Manager hosts where process command lines or network connections exhibit path traversal patterns, correlating process context with network activity.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- CrowdStrike Falcon sensor telemetry from SD-WAN management scripts that traverse directory structures for legitimate configuration management
- Backup agents installed on SD-WAN Manager hosts that recursively access file system paths
- Cisco TAC remote support sessions that execute diagnostic commands with path arguments
Other platforms for CVE-2026-20262
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Basic Path Traversal File Read via SD-WAN Manager API
Expected signal: Web server access log entry with URI containing '../../../../etc/passwd', HTTP response code 200 or 400/403 depending on patch status, source IP of test host
- Test 2URL-Encoded Path Traversal Against SD-WAN Template API
Expected signal: Access log entry with raw URI containing %2e%2e%2f sequences targeting /template/ endpoint, HTTP response code logged by web server before or after URL normalization
- Test 3Double-Encoded Traversal Bypass Attempt
Expected signal: Access log entry with double-encoded URI; if the server double-decodes the URL, a subsequent audit log event showing /etc/passwd file access at the OS level
- Test 4Traversal to SD-WAN Configuration File for Credential Harvesting
Expected signal: Multiple HTTP requests in quick succession with traversal sequences targeting vmanage configuration paths; response sizes indicating file content if successful
References (4)
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwan-arbfw-c2rZvQ
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20262
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-20262 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.