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CVE-2017-3881 — A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco…

Key facts

CVE-2017-3881 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2017-3881 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2017-3881
Severity Critical (9.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-03-25)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2017/CVE-2017-3881/

Details

English | 한국어

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2017-3881
CVSS Score 9.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2017/CVE-2017-3881/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2017-3881

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96960
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97391
  • http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038059
  • https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170317-cmp
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41872/
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41874/
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96960
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97391
  • http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038059
  • https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170317-cmp
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41872/
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41874/
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-3881

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-04T05:09:35.976137884

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-3881?

CVE-2017-3881 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2017-3881?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2017-3881?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2017-3881 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2017-3881 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-25, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.