Summary

• A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary Java code as root on an affected device.

  This vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of a user-supplied Java byte stream. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted serialized Java object to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device and elevate privileges to root.

  Note: If the FMC management interface does not have public internet access, the attack surface that is associated with this vulnerability is reduced.

  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-fmc-rce-NKhnULJh

  This advisory is part of the March 2026 release of the Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: March 2026 Semiannual Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.

Affected Products

• Vulnerable Products

  This vulnerability affects Cisco Secure FMC Software and Cisco Security Cloud Control (SCC) Firewall Management, regardless of device configuration.

  Note: Cisco SCC Firewall Management is a SaaS-delivered offering and is upgraded by Cisco as part of maintenance. The fix for this vulnerability has been deployed to Cisco SCC Firewall Management environments. No user action is required.

  For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.

  Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

  Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

  Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:

  • Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
  • Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Software

Workarounds

• There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Fixed Software

• Cisco considers any workarounds and mitigations (if applicable) to be temporary solutions until an upgrade to a fixed software release is available. To fully remediate this vulnerability and avoid future exposure as described in this advisory, Cisco strongly recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software indicated in this advisory.

  Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software

  To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, and Secure FTD Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities that are described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).

  To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to search for vulnerabilities that affect a specific software release. To use the form, follow these steps:

  1. Choose which advisories the tool will search-all advisories, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or only this advisory.
  2. Choose the appropriate software.
  3. Choose the appropriate platform.
  4. Enter a release number-for example, 9.20.3.4 for Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software or 7.4.2 for Cisco Secure FTD Software.
  5. Click Check.

  Only this advisory All Critical and High advisories All advisories Cisco ASA Software Cisco FMC Software Cisco FTD Software Any Platform 3000 Series Industrial Security Appliances (ISA) ASA 5500-X Series Firewalls ASA Service Module Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) Firepower 1000 Series Firepower 2100 Series Firepower 4100 Series Firepower 9000 Series Secure Firewall 1200 Series Secure Firewall 3100 Series Secure Firewall 4200 Series

  
  

  Additional Resources

  For help determining the best Cisco Secure Firewall ASA, Secure FMC, or Secure FTD Software release, see the following Recommended Releases documents. If a security advisory recommends a later release, Cisco recommends following the advisory guidance.

  Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Compatibility
  Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Upgrade Guide
  Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Compatibility Guide

Exploitation and Public Announcements

• In March 2026, the Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) became aware of attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Cisco continues to strongly recommend that customers upgrade to a fixed software release to remediate this vulnerability.

Source

• This vulnerability was found during internal security testing by Keane O'Kelley of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG).

URL

• https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-fmc-rce-NKhnULJh

Revision History

• Version	Description	Section	Status	Date
  1.2	Updated the note in the Vulnerable Products section to reflect that a hot fix is available for Cisco SCC Firewall Management.	Vulnerable Products	Final	2026-MAR-25
  1.1	Updated with information about becoming aware of exploitation.	Exploitation and Public Announcements	Final	2026-MAR-18
  1.0	Initial public release.	-	Final	2026-MAR-04

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