CVE-2017-3881
Cisco IOS and IOS XE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published Mar 17, 2017 · updated Jun 16, 2026 · cisco ios
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.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Mar 17, 2017 · Catalog
Detected
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 du
Mar 25, 2022 · CISA KEV
Known exploited
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Apr 15, 2022 · CISA KEV
Remediation due
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Jun 16, 2026 · Catalog
Updated
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 du
Required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
CISA due date Apr 15, 2022
Affected
- cpe cisco/iosversion unspecified
- cpe cisco/ios xeversion unspecified
- vendor Cisco IOS and IOS XEversion unspecified
Sources
- CISA KEVCVE-2017-3881
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.
cisa.gov - CVE.orgCVE-2017-3881
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - FIRST EPSSCVE-2017-3881
30-day exploitation probability 99.0%
first.org - Exploit Database41872
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Exploit Database42122
Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.
exploit-db.com - Metasploit Modulesauxiliary_dos/cisco/ios_telnet_rocem
Public module reference (normal). Module source is not copied into this catalog.
rapid7.com - NIST NVDCVE-2017-3881
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
nvd.nist.gov