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Weekly Signal
Live intelligence Updated 20 Aug 2026 · 12:21 UTC

Cisco · IOS, IOS and IOS XE Software, Ios Xe

CVE-2017-6736

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software SNMP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Recommended action

Validate affected assets and exposure now, then remediate on an accelerated schedule. Cisco Security advisory Cisco Sa 20170629 Snmp

View response plan
CVSS8.8
EPSS70.6%
KEVYes
ExploitationConfirmed exploitation
RemediationNot yet verified ↓

Assessment

Why it matters

CISA lists this vulnerability as known to be exploited; exploitation is confirmed; EPSS is 70.6%; technical severity is CVSS 8.8.

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) subsystem of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software contains multiple vulnerabilities that could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to remotely execute code on an affected system or cause an affected system to reload. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a crafted SNMP packet to an affected system via IPv4 or IPv6. Only traffic directed to an affected system can be used to exploit these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities are due to a buffer overflow condition in the SNMP subsystem of the affected software. The vulnerabilities affect all versions of SNMP - Versions 1, 2c, and 3. To exploit these vulnerabilities via SNMP Version 2c or earlier, the attacker must know the SNMP read-only community string for the affected system. To exploit these vulnerabilities via SNMP Version 3, the attacker must have user credentials for the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain full control of the affected system or cause the affected system to reload. Customers are advised to apply the workaround as contained in the Workarounds section below. Fixed software information is available via the Cisco IOS Software Checker. All devices that have enabled SNMP and have not explicitly excluded the affected MIBs or OIDs should be considered vulnerable. There are workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.

Who should care

  • Teams operating IOS, IOS and IOS XE Software, Ios Xe
  • Vulnerability and exposure management teams
  • Security operations teams monitoring exploitation activity

Response plan

What I would do

  1. Confirm whether IOS, IOS and IOS XE Software, Ios Xe is present in the environment.
  2. Identify affected versions and establish whether vulnerable services are exposed or reachable.
  3. Cisco Security advisory Cisco Sa 20170629 Snmp
  4. Review relevant security telemetry for evidence of attempted or successful exploitation.
  5. Document the remediation decision and track it to verified completion.

Treatment intelligence

Remediation intelligence

Not yet verified

Vendor sources are listed before government and third-party guidance. Confirm product applicability and change prerequisites before deployment.

Verification noteAutomated link verification has not completed for this guidance yet.

Technical details

CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE
CWE-119
Affected versions
Cisco IOS (Start Including 12.0, End Including 12.4 | Start Including 15.0, End Including 15.6); Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software; Cisco Ios Xe (Start Including 2.2.0, End Including 3.17)
Fixed versions
No explicit fixed version is currently recorded.
Published
17 July 2017
Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None

Signal timeline

  1. CVE published
  2. Added to CISA KEV
  3. Latest EPSS score: 70.6%
  4. Signal calculated at 81

External references

Live public intelligence This assessment combines public-source evidence. Validate the affected product, version and exposure against your own environment before making a risk decision.