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.

Exploitation has been observed in order to distribute malware. Patches are available and should be applied as soon as possible.

The remote device is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability in the Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) subsystem due to improper handling of CMP-specific Telnet options. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this by establishing a Telnet session with malformed CMP-specific telnet options, to execute arbitrary code.

Versions of Cisco a flaw that is triggered when handling Cluster Management Protocol-specific Telnet options while establishing a Telnet session on a device which accepts Telnet connections. This may allow a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a DoS.

According to its self-reported version and configuration, the Cisco IOS XE software running on the remote device is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability in the Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) subsystem due to improper handling of CMP-specific Telnet options. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this by establishing a Telnet session with malformed CMP-specific telnet options, to execute arbitrary code.

According to its self-reported version and configuration, the Cisco IOS software running on the remote device is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability in the Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) subsystem due to improper handling of CMP-specific Telnet options. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this by establishing a Telnet session with malformed CMP-specific telnet options, to execute arbitrary code.

ID	Name	Product	Family	Severity
103783	Cisco IOS Cluster Management Protocol Telnet Option Handling RCE (cisco-sa-20170317-cmp) (destructive check)	Nessus	CISCO	critical
700129	Cisco IOS Denilal of Service (DoS) attack attempt	Nessus Network Monitor	Generic	critical
97992	Cisco IOS XE Cluster Management Protocol Telnet Option Handling RCE (cisco-sa-20170317-cmp)	Nessus	CISCO	critical
97991	Cisco IOS Cluster Management Protocol Telnet Option Handling RCE (cisco-sa-20170317-cmp)	Nessus	CISCO	critical

Detections

Analytics

CVE-2017-3881

critical

Tenable Plugins

critical

critical

critical

critical