CVE-2018-0171A 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…
Updated under an hour ago ()
Does this affect you?
It affects cisco ios. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
CISA lists it as known exploited since Nov 3, 2021; federal agencies had to remediate by May 3, 2022. Treat that date as your deadline.
Do this next
Free account, 1 product
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
- 7.5 HIGH (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-20
- Known exploited
- Added to CISA KEV Nov 3, 2021; federal remediation due May 3, 2022Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 99.48% (percentile 100)
- Assigned by
- cisco
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Jan 12, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
cisco ios cisco:ios | 15.2(5)e | NVD |
References
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-04x-refsource-misc, third-party-advisory, us-government-resource
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040580vdb-entry, x-refsource-sectrack, third-party-advisory
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180328-smi2x-refsource-confirm, vendor-advisory
- https://www.darkreading.com/perimeter/attackers-exploit-cisco-switch-issue-as-vendor-warns-of-yet-another-critical-flaw/d/d-id/1331490x-refsource-misc, press/media-coverage
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-05x-refsource-misc, third-party-advisory, us-government-resource
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103538vdb-entry, x-refsource-bid, third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-0171us-government-resource
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.