Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2018-0171
The short answer
CVE-2018-0171 affects n/a Cisco IOS and IOS XE and is rated critical (CVSS 9.8). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03: attackers are using it, so patch it first.
What it is
A vulnerability in the Smart Install feature of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a reload of an affected device, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition, or to execute arbitrary code on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of packet data. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted Smart Install message to an affected device on TCP port 4786. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a buffer overflow on the affected device, which could have the following impacts: Triggering a reload of the device, Allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device, Causing an indefinite loop on the affected device that triggers a watchdog crash. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg76186.
Severity
9.8 critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Nov 3, 2021
Federal due date May 3, 2022
EPSS, next 30 days
99%
Higher than 100% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- 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
Cisco IOS and IOS XE. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-04 Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-05 Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180328-smi2 Vendor Advisory
- www.darkreading.com/perimeter/attackers-exploit-cisco-switch-issue-as-vendor-warns-of-yet-another-critical-flaw/d/d-id/1331490 Press/Media Coverage
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-04 Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-05 Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180328-smi2 Vendor Advisory
- www.darkreading.com/perimeter/attackers-exploit-cisco-switch-issue-as-vendor-warns-of-yet-another-critical-flaw/d/d-id/1331490 Press/Media Coverage
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-0171 US Government Resource
Questions
Is CVE-2018-0171 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2018-0171 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03, with a federal remediation due date of 2022-05-03.
How do I fix CVE-2018-0171?
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.
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