Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:N) | Network: reachable remotely |
| Attack complexity (AC:L) | Low complexity |
| Privileges required (PR:N) | No privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:N) | No user interaction |
| Scope (S:U) | Scope unchanged |
| Confidentiality (C:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (I:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (A:H) | High availability impact |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
About Esri Arcgis Server
CVE-2026-9181 affects Esri Arcgis Server, a product from Esri. Before acting, confirm where Esri Arcgis Server runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: Esri ArcGIS Server contains a directory traversal vulnerability. ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes is not impacted. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this issue by sending crafted path parameters. Successful exploitation could allow overwriting sensitive files on the system. Abuse of this issue can allow full administrative access to ArcGIS Server, with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This issue impacts all versions of ArcGIS Server on Windows and Linux 12.0 and prior. This issue does not impact ArcGIS Enterprise for Kubernetes.
The weakness class is Path Traversal. An attacker can reach files outside the intended folder by tampering with a file path.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Esri Arcgis Server |
| Affected versions | Arcgis Server up to and including 12.0 |
| Published | Jul 6, 2026 |
| Last modified | Jul 8, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | psirt@esri.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Esri Arcgis Server and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Esri Arcgis Server named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Esri Arcgis Server to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-22: Path Traversal More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
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