CVE-2026-76519 Cisco Secure Email Gateway Relative Path Traversal Vulnerability
Cisco Secure Email Gateway contains a relative path traversal vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to write arbitrary files on the underlying operating system.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 14 Oct 2026.
- Rated Critical severity (CVSS 9.8, scored by Vendor).
- This product type is often exposed to the internet, which is where attackers scan for it first.
What It Is
A vulnerability in the Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) feature of Cisco Secure Email Gateway could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to write arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability is due to improper handling of email attachments when the file reputation service is enabled. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending an email that contains a crafted attachment through an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to write arbitrary files and execute commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system.
Affected Versions
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Cisco Cisco Secure Email | 14.0.0-698 13.5.1-277 13.0.0-392 14.2.0-620 13.0.5-007 13.5.4-038 |
From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Cisco Secure Email Gateway. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
Fix it
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Vulnerability Management - 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2026-76519 and every other exploited flaw on the list.
