ZeusQA
Start free

Known exploited vulnerability

CVE-2017-6738

highCVSS 3.1 8.8In CISA KEVEPSS 11%Published · Cisco

The short answer

CVE-2017-6738 affects Cisco IOS and is rated high (CVSS 8.8). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-03: attackers are using it, so patch it first.

What it is

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) subsystem of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software contains multiple vulnerabilities that could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to remotely execute code on an affected system or cause an affected system to reload. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a crafted SNMP packet to an affected system via IPv4 or IPv6. Only traffic directed to an affected system can be used to exploit these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities are due to a buffer overflow condition in the SNMP subsystem of the affected software. The vulnerabilities affect all versions of SNMP - Versions 1, 2c, and 3. To exploit these vulnerabilities via SNMP Version 2c or earlier, the attacker must know the SNMP read-only community string for the affected system. To exploit these vulnerabilities via SNMP Version 3, the attacker must have user credentials for the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain full control of the affected system or cause the affected system to reload. Customers are advised to apply the workaround as contained in the Workarounds section below. Fixed software information is available via the Cisco IOS Software Checker. All devices that have enabled SNMP and have not explicitly excluded the affected MIBs or OIDs should be considered vulnerable. There are workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.

Weakness: CWE-119.

Severity

8.8 high

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploited (CISA KEV)

Yes, since Mar 3, 2022

Federal due date Mar 24, 2022

EPSS, next 30 days

11%

Higher than 96% of scored CVEs

How it can be exploited

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality impact
High
Integrity impact
High
Availability impact
High

What CISA says to do

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected products

IOS, Cisco IOS XE Software. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2017-6738 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2017-6738 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-03, with a federal remediation due date of 2022-03-24.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6738?

CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.

Related

Know the day a CVE lands in your code

Connect a GitHub repository and ZeusQA checks its dependencies daily, briefs each advisory and opens the fix. Three test runs free, no card.

Start freeSee how a run works