Cisco NX-OS Software Python Sandbox Escape Vulnerability

Description

A vulnerability in the Python interpreter of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with low privileges to escape the Python sandbox and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating specific functions within the Python interpreter. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to escape the Python sandbox and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of the authenticated user. Note: An attacker must be authenticated with Python execution privileges to exploit this vulnerability. For more information regarding Python execution privileges, see product-specific documentation, such as the Cisco NX-OS Security with Python section of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Programmability Guide . Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability. This advisory is available at the following link: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nxos-mppe-dhKZAFgb This advisory is part of a group of advisories. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Advance Notification for Publication of October 7, 2026, Security Advisories . For further documentation of improvements and fixes in Cisco NX-OS Software, see Cisco NX-OS Software Security Hardening Release: October 2026 . Security Impact Rating: Medium CVE: CVE-2026-20032

What to do

Install the fixed versions listed in the official advisory. If you cannot update right away, apply the workarounds or mitigations it describes and limit access to the affected service.

Details

Vendor

Cisco

Product

Cisco NX-OS

CVE

CVE-2026-20032

Affected versions

Cisco NX-OS Software 8.2: 12 versions, from 8.2(5) to 8.2(11)
Cisco NX-OS Software 7.3: 17 versions, from 7.3(5)D1(1) to 7.3(9)D1(1)
Cisco NX-OS Software 8.4: 22 versions, from 8.4(2) to 8.4(13)
Cisco NX-OS Software 9.2: 8 versions, from 9.2(3) to 9.2(1a)
Cisco NX-OS Software 9.3: 22 versions, from 9.3(2) to 9.3(17)
Cisco NX-OS Software 8.1: 5 versions, from 8.1(1) to 8.1(1a)
Cisco NX-OS Software 8.3: 8.3(2); 8.3(1)
Cisco NX-OS Software 8.5: 8.5(1)
Cisco NX-OS Software 10.3: 20 versions, from 10.3(1) to 10.3(9)
Cisco NX-OS Software 9.4: 9 versions, from 9.4(1) to 9.4(5)
Cisco NX-OS Software 10.4: 8 versions, from 10.4(1) to 10.4(7)
Cisco NX-OS Software 10.5: 10 versions, from 10.5(1) to 10.5(5)
Cisco NX-OS Software 10.6: 7 versions, from 10.6(1) to 10.6(3s) (from the advisory and NVD; check the exact builds in the official advisory)

CVSS score

4.4

Actively exploited

Not known at this time

Source

Cisco PSIRT – original advisory

Published

October 7, 2026

The description and the recommended action are quoted from the public advisory (the action is our generic advice); severity, exploitation status and affected versions are compiled automatically from public sources and may contain errors. The vendor's original advisory prevails: check it before taking action. This information is provided without warranty and does not replace a professional assessment.