# CVE-2017-12237: Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Internet Key Exchange Denial-of-Service Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2017-12237-cisco-ios-and-ios-xe-software-internet-key-exchange-denial-of  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-03-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2017-12237 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-03-03

A vulnerability in the Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) module of Cisco IOS and IOS XE could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. The issue is triggered by processing specific IKEv2 packets, leading to high CPU utilization, traceback messages, or a device reload.

Technologies: [Cisco IOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios), [Cisco IOS XE](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios-xe), [Cisco IOS XE Software](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios-xe-software), [Cisco IOS XR](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ios-xr). Vendors: [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2017-12237 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2017-12237 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 March 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2017-12237?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 3 March 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco IOS 15.0 through 15.6; Cisco IOS XE 3.5 through 16.5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2017-12237?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2017-12237 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2017-12237?** Check whether you run Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS XE, Cisco IOS XE Software or one of the others listed. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Cisco IOS 15.0 through 15.6
- Cisco IOS XE 3.5 through 16.5

## Timeline

- 2017-09-27: disclosed: Original Cisco advisory date (from reference URL)
- 2022-03-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

## Related threats

- [Cisco IOS XR IPv4 packet processing denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76505-a-vulnerability-in-the-ipv4-packet-processing-functionality-of)
- [Cisco Snort 3 Detection Engine denial of service in GTP codec](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76445-multiple-cisco-products-are-affected-by-a-vulnerability-in-the)
- [Cisco Snort 3 incorrect calculation vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20236-as-part-of-cisco-s-ongoing-commitment-to-proactive-security-and)
- [Cisco Snort 3 GRE detection engine denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20179-multiple-cisco-products-are-affected-by-a-vulnerability-in-the)
- [Cisco Snort 3 out-of-bounds write](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20043-as-part-of-cisco-s-ongoing-commitment-to-proactive-security-and)