Cisco IOS and IOS XE SNMP Subsystem Remote Code Execution and DoS Vulnerability (CVE-2017-6740)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTAll Cisco devices running Cisco IOS or IOS XE software with SNMP enabled and affected MIBs/OIDs not explicitly excluded
An authenticated, remote attacker can execute arbitrary code with full system privileges or trigger a device reload, causing a complete Denial of Service (DoS)
Apply official software updates via Cisco IOS Software Checker, or implement workarounds including SNMP View restrictions and Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Verify your current software version using the Cisco IOS Software Checker and upgrade to a fixed release. Below is an example of upgrading the IOS image via TFTP:
! Verify current boot image and storage space
show boot
show flash:
! Download the patched image and update boot system path
copy tftp://10.1.1.100/c3900e-universalk9-mz.SPA.155-3.M10.bin flash:
configure terminal
no boot system
boot system flash c3900e-universalk9-mz.SPA.155-3.M10.bin
write memory
exit
reload2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be performed immediately, restrict SNMP access using SNMP Views to exclude vulnerable MIBs and apply Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict SNMP traffic to authorized management hosts only.
configure terminal
! Define SNMP View to exclude vulnerable MIBs (e.g., ADSL-LINE-MIB components)
snmp-server view SNMP_PREVENT_VIEW iso included
snmp-server view SNMP_PREVENT_VIEW adslAtucPhysTable excluded
snmp-server view SNMP_PREVENT_VIEW adslAturPhysTable excluded
! Define ACL to restrict SNMP access to trusted management subnet
ip access-list standard SNMP_ADMIN_ONLY
permit 10.10.10.0 0.0.0.255
deny any log
! Apply the view and ACL to the SNMP community
snmp-server community <YOUR_SECRET_COMMUNITY> view SNMP_PREVENT_VIEW RO SNMP_ADMIN_ONLY
end
write memory3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Monitor the device for unexpected reloads or unauthorized SNMP access attempts.
! Check system uptime and reload reasons
show version | include returned to
show processes cpu sorted | include snmp
! Audit logs for SNMP authentication failures and blocked access attempts
show logging | include %SNMP-3-AUTHFAIL|%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGStop Exposing VPN Ports to the Internet — Switch to Zero-Trust Access
Eliminate public-facing VPN concentrators and firewall management ports with identity-first Zero-Trust Network Access.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability is a buffer overflow condition (CWE-119) within the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) subsystem of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software. It stems from insufficient boundary validation when processing crafted SNMP packets, affecting all versions of SNMP (v1, v2c, and v3).
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted SNMP packets via IPv4 or IPv6 directly to the target system. To successfully execute the exploit, authentication is required: for SNMP v1 and v2c, the attacker must know the read-only community string; for SNMP v3, valid user credentials are required. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to corrupt memory, execute arbitrary code, and gain full control of the device.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a CISA KEV-listed vulnerability, this flaw has been actively exploited in the wild. Compromise of core routing and switching infrastructure allows attackers to intercept network traffic, manipulate routing tables, and establish persistent footholds within the enterprise network. Unsuccessful exploitation attempts will still trigger a device reload, leading to network downtime.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
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.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2017-6740)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2017-6740 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2017-6740 is rated CVSS 8.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 11.1%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2017-6740?
Primary impacted vendors include cisco across ios, ios xe. Scope summary: All versions of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software where SNMP is enabled and affected MIBs are not explicitly excluded
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2017-6740 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply official software updates via Cisco IOS Software Checker, or implement workarounds including SNMP View restrictions and Access Control Lists (ACLs) Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2017-6740
Instantly format this advisory into an executive CISO summary or engineering patch ticket.
🔗 Related Advisories in Similar Stack (cisco)
View Category →Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Critical Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2026-76460)
[Affected Scope] Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) web-based management interface and API endpoints.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Peering Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2026-20182)
[Affected Scope] Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller (formerly vSmart), Manager (formerly vManage), and Validator (formerly vBond)
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Insecure Deserialization Vulnerability (CVE-2026-20131, CVSS 10.0) - Remote Code Execution and Root Privilege Escalation
[Affected Scope] Web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software.
Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Authentication Bypass and Root RCE Vulnerability (CVE-2026-20079)
[Affected Scope] Web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software
Subscribe to Daily Vulnerability Briefings & KEV Alerts
Concise morning briefings for SecOps, DevSecOps, and SRE teams covering newly exploited CVEs and mitigation priorities.