CVE-2017-3863 : Security Advisory and Response

Cisco IOS and IOS XE EnergyWise Module Vulnerabilities

Understanding CVE-2017-3863

Multiple vulnerabilities in the EnergyWise module of Cisco IOS and IOS XE could lead to denial of service (DoS) attacks.

What is CVE-2017-3863?

The vulnerabilities in the EnergyWise module of Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions 12.2 and 15.0 through 15.6 could be exploited by unauthorized attackers to cause buffer overflows or device restarts, resulting in DoS situations.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3863

Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to trigger buffer overflows or device restarts, causing DoS situations.
Only IPv4 packets directed towards EnergyWise domain members can exploit these weaknesses; IPv6 packets are not capable of triggering the vulnerabilities.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3863

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerabilities in EnergyWise module could allow remote attackers to cause buffer overflows or device reloads.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco IOS versions 12.2 and 15.0 through 15.6
Cisco IOS XE versions 3.2 through 3.18

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send manipulated EnergyWise packets to affected devices, triggering buffer overflows or device restarts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Cisco IOS and IOS XE systems.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and apply patches promptly to mitigate risks.