CVE-2018-0171: Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Smart Install Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2018-0171 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

A vulnerability in the Smart Install feature of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a buffer overflow by sending crafted packet data to TCP port 4786. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, a device reload, or an indefinite loop causing a watchdog crash.

Technologies: Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS XE. Vendors: Cisco.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2018-0171 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2018-0171 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2018-0171?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 3 November 2021.
Which products and versions are affected?
Cisco IOS; Cisco IOS XE.
Is there a fix for CVE-2018-0171?
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-2018-0171 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2018-0171?
Check whether you run Cisco IOS or Cisco IOS XE. 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
  • Cisco IOS XE

Timeline

  • 2018-03-28: disclosed: Initial Cisco Security Advisory published
  • 2018-04-24: other: Initial NVD analysis completed
  • 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
  • 2021-11-03: exploited: Confirmed exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry

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