# CVE-2017-3851: Path traversal in Cisco Application-Hosting Framework

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can read arbitrary files from the Cisco IOx application environment via crafted requests to the CAF web interface.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Mar 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rv9w-q754-5cw5

## What is CVE-2017-3851?

CVE-2017-3851 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Application-Hosting Framework, published on 22 Mar 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A Directory Traversal vulnerability in the web framework code of the Cisco application-hosting framework (CAF) component of the Cisco IOx application environment could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to read any file from the CAF in the virtual instance running on the affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted requests to the CAF web interface. The impacts of a successful exploit are limited to the scope of the virtual instance and do not impact the router that is hosting Cisco IOx. Cisco IOx Releases 1.0.0.0 and 1.1.0.0 are vulnerable. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuy52302.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-3851?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cisco Iox.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-3851?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-3851 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-3851 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-3851 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Application-Hosting Framework

- [CVE-2017-3853](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3853/): Memory corruption in Cisco IOx (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-3238](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3238/): Cisco IOx Application Framework Arbitrary File Creation Vulnerability (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2017-3852](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3852/): Path traversal in Cisco Application-Hosting Framework (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2016-9199](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-9199/): Path traversal in Cisco IOx (medium 6.5)
- [CVE-2020-3233](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3233/): Cisco IOx Application Framework Local Manager Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability (medium 6.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-3851 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-3851 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Application-Hosting Framework, published on 22 Mar 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-3851 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Cisco Application-Hosting Framework. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3851/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3851/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-3851
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3851
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-3851

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-3851/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.