Patchfirst
CVE-2017-3881 KEVPublic exploit Critical · 9.8 EPSS 99.0%

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Cisco · IOS and IOS XE

Summary

A flaw in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol processing code in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software allows malformed CMP-specific Telnet options to be accepted and processed over any Telnet connection, not just internal cluster communication. An unauthenticated remote attacker who can open a Telnet session to an affected device configured to accept Telnet connections can send such malformed options to cause a device reload or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Official description · NVD

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.

Breakdown
73.7 / 100
Exploited
Yes, in CISA KEV
Reports
1
Tactics
3/15

How an attack unfolds

Based on mappings. Select a step to see the evidence.
  1. What they do

  2. What can follow

First seen exploited the day it was disclosed. Public exploit code (Metasploit) was available the same day.

  1. DisclosedFirst seen exploitedVulnCheck KEV evidencePublic exploit codeMetasploitday 0
  2. Named in a threat reportblog.talosintelligence.com+2 yrs
  3. Added to CISA KEVEU database agrees+5 yrs

CISA KEV listing is when exploitation was confirmed, not necessarily the first attack.

techniques

3 , grouped by in kill-chain order, 3 cited passages 12

Initial AccessTA0001

Exploit Public-Facing Application T1190 Medium
MITRE CTID mapping of the CVE · uncategorised

ExecutionTA0002

Command and Scripting Interpreter T1059 Medium
AI mapping from the description · primary impact

Arbitrary code execution on the device

could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain full control of the device
From the official description (NVD) Original (opens in a new tab) ↗

ImpactTA0040

Application or System Exploitation T1499.004 Medium
AI mapping from the description · primary impact

Device reload causes application or system DoS

or cause a reload of the affected device
From the official description (NVD) Original (opens in a new tab) ↗

Detection

0 rules for this CVE · 247 general rules for its techniques

Rules for this CVE

0 that reference CVE-2017-3881 directly.

CVE-specific rules are not available in this build. Search SigmaHQ ↗

General rules for this CVE’s techniques

These detect the technique in general, not this specific vulnerability.

Sigma rules © SigmaHQ, Detection Rule License 1.1; linked, not reproduced.

What security researchers reported

Named in 1 threat report
1 reportCisco TalosApr 2019

Reports are matched by finding the exact id CVE-2017-3881 in their text; nobody has reviewed the match. One passage is shown per report, at most 320 characters, linked to the original.

Cisco Talos17 Apr 2019

DNS Hijacking Abuses Trust In Core Internet Service

GNU bash system, specific the SMTP (this was part of the Shellshock CVEs)SID: 31975 - 31978, 31985, 32038, 32039, 32041 - 32043, 32069, 32335, 32336CVE-2017-3881: RCE for Cisco switchesSID: 41909 - 41910CVE-2017-6736: Remote Code Exploit (RCE) for Cisco integrated Service Router 2811SID: 43424 -…

2 passages name itOriginal (opens in a new tab) ↗

Also mentioned in 50 community threat pulses (AlienVault OTX)

Weaker evidence

Pulses are indicator collections that anyone can publish. A mention is not confirmation of exploitation.

References

7 links, grouped by NVD tag (6 duplicates merged)
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