# CVE-2026-86060: SSH session privilege manipulation via a crafted username in Mikrotik RouterOS

> CVE-2026-86060: SSH session privilege manipulation via a crafted username in Mikrotik RouterOS. CVSS 9.8 (CVSS 3.1), in CISA KEV.

Canonical: https://rewindex.com/cve/CVE-2026-86060
Last updated: 2026-09-11T12:52:16Z

- Published: 2026-09-05 20:00 UTC · Updated: 2026-09-11 12:52 UTC · Assigner: CERT-PL
- CVSS: 9.8 (CVSS 3.1) · Severity: Critical · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS: 6.4%, 94th percentile (scored 2026-10-25)
- CISA KEV: yes, added 2026-09-10, federal due date 2026-09-13, ransomware use: Unknown
- CWE: CWE-88

## Description

RouterOS contains an argument-handling flaw in the SSH login path involving usernames that begin with a prohibited character, allowing for the trusted RouterOS policy mask to be changed, leading to privilege escalation. Exploitation requires an unauthenticated SSH session to reach the RouterOS login helper.This issue was fixed in versions: 6.49.21 (Long-term), 7.23.4 (Long-term) and 7.24.2 (Stable)

## CISA required action

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.

## Affected vendors and products

- Mikrotik: RouterOS

## References

- [CVE record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-86060)
- [NVD entry](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86060)
- [https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/09/mikrotik-routeros-cve](https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/09/mikrotik-routeros-cve)
- [https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/09/vulnerabilities-in-mikrotik-routeros-actively-exploited/](https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/09/vulnerabilities-in-mikrotik-routeros-actively-exploited/)
- [https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/6-49-21-long-term-is-released/272802](https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/6-49-21-long-term-is-released/272802)
- [https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/7-23-4-long-term-is-released/272801](https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/7-23-4-long-term-is-released/272801)
- [https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/7-24-2-stable-is-released/272800](https://forum.mikrotik.com/t/7-24-2-stable-is-released/272800)
- [https://mikrotik.com/supportsec/september-2026-vulnerability/](https://mikrotik.com/supportsec/september-2026-vulnerability/)
- [https://npratley.net/reversing-mikrotiks-silent-patch-the-routeros-7-23-4-fix-they-wouldnt-explain/](https://npratley.net/reversing-mikrotiks-silent-patch-the-routeros-7-23-4-fix-they-wouldnt-explain/)

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_Sources: CVE records from the CVE Program (cve.org). CVE® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. (https://www.cve.org/) This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. (https://nvd.nist.gov/) Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog from CISA. (https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog) EPSS scores from FIRST (Exploit Prediction Scoring System). (https://www.first.org/epss/)_


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Canonical: https://rewindex.com/cve/CVE-2026-86060 · Markdown: https://rewindex.com/cve/CVE-2026-86060.md · JSON: https://rewindex.com/api/v1/cves/CVE-2026-86060 · Data licensed CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) · Generated 2026-10-26T02:16:22.515Z