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CVE-2018-0171

UNKNOWN
Published 2018-03-28T22:00:00.000Z
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Description

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.

Understanding This Vulnerability

This Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) entry provides detailed information about a security vulnerability that has been publicly disclosed. CVEs are standardized identifiers assigned by MITRE Corporation to track and catalog security vulnerabilities across software and hardware products.

The severity rating (UNKNOWN) indicates the potential impact of this vulnerability based on the CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) framework. Higher severity ratings typically indicate vulnerabilities that could lead to more significant security breaches if exploited. Security teams should prioritize remediation efforts based on severity, exploit availability, and the EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) score, which predicts the likelihood of exploitation in the wild.

If this vulnerability affects products or systems in your infrastructure, we recommend reviewing the affected products section, checking for available patches or updates from vendors, and implementing recommended workarounds or solutions until a permanent fix is available. Organizations should also monitor security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for updates about active exploitation of this vulnerability.

Available Exploits

Cisco Smart Install - Configuration Download

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.

ID: CVE-2018-0171
Author: ritikchaddhamatejsmycka Critical

Related News

Russian threat actors using old Cisco bug to target critical infrastructure orgs

A threat group linked to the Russian Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Center 16 unit has been compromising unpatched and end-of-life Cisco networking devices via an old vulnerability (CVE-2018-0171), the FBI and Cisco warned on Wednesday. “Primary targets inc…

Help Net Security 2025-08-21 15:00
Russian Espionage Group Static Tundra Targets Legacy Cisco Flaw

Russian state-backed hackers are exploiting a seven-year-old Cisco Smart Install vulnerability (CVE-2018-0171) in end-of-life devices, prompting warnings from the FBI and Cisco Talos

Infosecurity Magazine 2025-08-21 14:20
Seven Years Later: Cisco CVE-2018-0171 Still Exposes Thousands to RCE

In a deep dive published by Guy Bruneau, Senior Security Consultant and former network engineer, the lingering dangers The post Seven Years Later: Cisco CVE-2018-0171 Still Exposes Thousands to RCE appeared first on Daily CyberSecurity.

SecurityOnline.info 2025-04-10 02:00
Cisco Confirms Salt Typhoon Exploited CVE-2018-0171 to Target U.S. Telecom Networks

Cisco has confirmed that a Chinese threat actor known as Salt Typhoon gained access by likely abusing a known security flaw tracked as CVE-2018-0171, and by obtaining legitimate victim login credentials as part of a targeted campaign aimed at major U.S. telec…

Internet 2025-02-21 07:38

References

Known Exploited Vulnerability

This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild

View KEV Details

Remediation Status

Overdue

Due Date

May 3, 2022

Added to KEV

November 3, 2021

Required Action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Product

Vendor/Project: Cisco
Product: IOS and IOS XE

Ransomware Risk

Known Ransomware Use
KEV Catalog Version: 2025.01.24 Released: January 24, 2025

GitHub Security Advisories

Community-driven vulnerability intelligence from GitHub

⚠ Unreviewed CRITICAL

GHSA-4w6g-87mh-x63x

Advisory Details

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.

CVSS Scoring

CVSS Score

9.0

CVSS Vector

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

Advisory provided by GitHub Security Advisory Database. Published: May 13, 2022, Modified: October 22, 2025

References

Published: 2018-03-28T22:00:00.000Z
Last Modified: 2025-07-28T19:48:42.500Z
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