Cisco IOS and IOS XE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Exploited · KEV 2022-03-25Metasploit moduleCVE-2017-3881CWE-20

Exploited since 2022-03-25. No WAF vendor names it yet.

Edge rules

0/8

Our test

No exploit yet

CVSS

9.8

EPSS

99.0% Top 0.1%

Posts, 14d

Published

2017-03-17

A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a reload of an affected device or remotely execute code with elevated privileges. The Cluster Management Protocol utilizes Telnet internally as a signaling and command protocol between cluster members. The vulnerability is due to the combination of two factors: (1) the failure to restrict the use of CMP-specific Telnet options only to internal, local communications between cluster members and instead accept and process such options over any Telnet connection to an affected device; and (2) the incorrect processing of malformed CMP-specific Telnet options. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malformed CMP-specific Telnet options while establishing a Telnet session with an affected Cisco device configured to accept Telnet connections. An exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain full control of the device or cause a reload of the affected device. This affects Catalyst switches, Embedded Service 2020 switches, Enhanced Layer 2 EtherSwitch Service Module, Enhanced Layer 2/3 EtherSwitch Service Module, Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module (CGESM) for HP, IE Industrial Ethernet switches, ME 4924-10GE switch, RF Gateway 10, and SM-X Layer 2/3 EtherSwitch Service Module. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd48893.

Edge coverage

Claimed by vendors

CloudflareBefore feed historyOlder than its feed AWSBefore feed historyOlder than its feed Microsoft AzureNo public claimNot named Google CloudBefore feed historyOlder than its feed FastlyBefore feed historyOlder than its feed F5Before feed historyOlder than its feed AkamaiNo public sourceNo public changelog OWASP CRSBefore feed historyOlder than its feed

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Severity, decoded

CVSS 3.1

9.8Critical

Critical · 9.8 / 10

Exploitable over the network, with no privileges and no user interaction, leading to full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Over the internetNo login neededNo user actionWorks reliablyFull compromise

How the score is built8 metrics

Attack vectorAn attacker can reach it over the internet; no access to your network needed.
Network
Attack complexityNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Low
Privileges requiredNo account or login is needed.
None
User interactionNo one has to click or open anything; the attack works on its own.
None
ScopeThe damage stays within the vulnerable component.
Unchanged
Confidentiality impactAn attacker can read all data the affected component holds, or the most sensitive parts of it.
High
Integrity impactAn attacker can change any data or files the affected component protects.
High
Availability impactAn attacker can take the component down completely or keep it from serving anyone.
High

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

CISA's assessmentSSVC, from the CVE record

ExploitationActive

Attackers are exploiting this in the wild.

AutomatableYes

Attackers can script the attack end to end and hit many targets at once.

Technical impactTotal

A successful attack gives full control over the affected software or all of its data.

Public exploits

3 found

1 Metasploit2 Exploit-DB0 Scanner template0 GitHub PoCs

MetasploitCisco IOS Telnet Denial of Service2017-03-17 · auxiliary · rank Normal
Exploit-DBCisco Catalyst 2960 IOS 12.2(55)SE1 - 'ROCEM' Remote Code Execution2017-04-12 · remote · hardware
Exploit-DBCisco Catalyst 2960 IOS 12.2(55)SE11 - 'ROCEM' Remote Code Execution2017-04-12 · remote · hardware

Links are to third-party code: never run it outside an isolated lab.

Timeline

2017-03-17
CVE published
CVE List
2017-03-17
Metasploit module published
Cisco IOS Telnet Denial of Service
2017-04-12
Exploit published on Exploit-DB
Cisco Catalyst 2960 IOS 12.2(55)SE1 - 'ROCEM' Remote Code Execution
2022-03-25
Added to CISA KEV
Confirmed exploitation in the wild