CVE-2017-3881
Confirmed PUBLISHEDA vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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.
- CVE Published
- Mar 17, 2017
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 25, 2022
- CVSS
- 9.8 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software
|
Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software |
Affected |
CVE References
- 41872 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41872/
- 41874 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41874/
- 97391 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97391
- 96960 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96960
- 1038059 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038059
Show 1 more reference
- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisor... tools.cisco.com · CVE Record https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-03-25 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/network/cves/2017/CVE-2017-3881.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-03-25 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2017-04-20 00:52:10 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Input Validation
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/network/cves/2017/CVE-2017-3881.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2017-05-11 12:11:51 UTC · 1 stars
Cisco Catalyst Remote Code Execution PoC
github · Created 2017-05-02 23:21:53 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2017-04-20 00:52:10 UTC · 2 stars
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:52 UTC over 9 years ago00:52 UTC · over 9 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
22:00 UTC over 9 years ago22:00 UTC · over 9 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 9 years ago00:00 UTC · over 9 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2017-3881
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2017-3881",
"title": "A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing cod...",
"affected_vendor": "Cisco",
"affected_product": "Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}