CVE-2017-6743 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-6743 affecting Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions. Learn about the exploitation risks and mitigation strategies for this SNMP subsystem vulnerability.
Cisco SNMP Subsystem Vulnerabilities
Understanding CVE-2017-6743
What is CVE-2017-6743?
The SNMP subsystem of Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions has multiple vulnerabilities that could allow a remote attacker to execute code or cause system reload.
The Impact of CVE-2017-6743
These vulnerabilities could be exploited by sending specially crafted SNMP packets to the affected system, potentially leading to code execution or system reload.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-6743
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerabilities stem from a buffer overflow issue in the SNMP subsystem, affecting all versions of SNMP (1, 2c, 3).
Affected Systems and Versions
- Cisco IOS versions 12.0 through 12.4 and 15.0 through 15.6
- IOS XE versions 2.2 through 3.17
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attacker must be authenticated
- Crafted SNMP packet sent via IPv4 or IPv6
- Requires knowledge of SNMP community string or valid user credentials
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable SNMP if not needed
- Implement ACLs to restrict SNMP traffic
- Apply vendor patches and updates
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and update SNMP configurations
- Conduct security assessments and audits
Patching and Updates
- Refer to Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve60376, CSCve78027