Governance & Risk Management,
Government,
Industry Specific
Emergency CISA Directive Issued Amid DHS Shutdown That Complicates Cyber Operations
In an urgent response to newly identified vulnerabilities in Cisco SD-WAN systems, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has mandated that all federal civilian agencies take immediate action to secure their networks. The vulnerabilities present a significant risk, especially given the ongoing operational strains imposed by a prolonged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
The directive, classified as an emergency order, requires agencies to assess their Cisco SD-WAN installations, collect forensic data, apply necessary patches, and actively search for signs of intrusion. This comes after CISA officials reported that threat actors have been targeting Cisco systems and software utilized by various federal civilian agencies.
With the DHS currently experiencing a shutdown, the situation further complicates incident response and vulnerability management activities. Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala emphasized that disruptions during the shutdown give adversaries a strategic advantage, as some personnel continue critical tasks without compensation.
Nick Andersen, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity, highlighted that actionable intelligence prompted the emergency directive, stressing that waiting for normal operations to resume was not feasible. CISA will closely monitor compliance and provide technical assistance to enhance security measures across civilian networks.
The vulnerabilities in question, tracked as CVE-2026-20127 and CVE-2022-20775, are embedded within Cisco SD-WAN systems, which facilitate connectivity between critical federal operations. Successful exploitation of these flaws could grant attackers enduring access and allow lateral movement within the network.
CISA’s order requires thorough inventorying of affected Cisco SD-WAN systems and the preservation of forensic evidence through virtual snapshots and logs prior to patching. Federal network defenders are also tasked with conducting proactive threat hunting and implementing immediate hardening strategies as outlined in Cisco’s guidance.
The speed at which these vulnerabilities may be exploited necessitates prompt action across all federal agencies. CISA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding federal networks from malicious actors, despite the challenges presented by the current government shutdown.
Security experts have flagged the coordinated disclosures among various government entities, particularly regarding the vulnerabilities that could facilitate authentication bypass in Cisco’s Catalyst SD-WAN Controller. This situation is critical, as active exploitation has been reported since 2023, indicating that effective remediation will require extensive vigilance, beyond patching alone. Users of Cisco’s systems are advised to consider comprehensive security reviews for potential intrusion signs.
This article addresses the scope of the cybersecurity incident, the targets affected, and the implications of the CISA directive in a manner that effectively communicates the urgency and necessary actions for business owners concerned about cybersecurity risks.