# What is CVE-2017-3881?

> CVE-2017-3881 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) in IOS from Cisco, published on 17 March 2017. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 99%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-3881

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 89 out of 100 (Critical); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Critical (CVSS 9.8 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 99% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 17 March 2017
- **Record last updated:** 22 October 2025
- **Main product:** IOS from Cisco
- **Affected products:** 2

## What is CVE-2017-3881? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### The official description

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.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-20: Improper Input Validation

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2017-3881 being exploited? Yes

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 99%.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 99%, 99%, 99%, 99%, 99%, 99%, 99%.

### Timeline

- 17 March 2017: Published
- 22 October 2025: Record last updated

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2017-3881 scores **89 out of 100 (Critical)**, with the action "Emergency patch".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2017-3881?

The published record lists 2 products.

- [IOS](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/ios) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): 12.2s to 15.1(3)svs
- [IOS XE](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/ios_xe) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): 3.2sg to 3.9e

## How do I fix CVE-2017-3881?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance.

### References

- [tools.cisco.com](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170317-cmp) (Vendor advisory)
- [securityfocus.com](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96960) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [securityfocus.com](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97391) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [securitytracker.com](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038059) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [exploit-db.com](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41872/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [exploit-db.com](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41874/) (Broken link)
- [cisa.gov](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-3881)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2017-3881?

CVE-2017-3881 is a critical-severity flaw in IOS from Cisco, published on 17 March 2017. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2017-3881?

It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2017-3881 is 89 out of 100, which is Critical. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.

### Is CVE-2017-3881 being exploited?

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 99%.

### Which versions does CVE-2017-3881 affect?

For IOS from Cisco: 12.2s to 15.1(3)svs. The record lists 2 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2017-3881?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in.

## Does CVE-2017-3881 affect you?

Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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