CVE-2017-6741 Memory corruption in Cisco IOS XE Software

High 8.8 Published 17 Jul 2017 Updated 31 Jul 2025

An authenticated remote attacker can trigger a buffer overflow in the SNMP implementation to execute arbitrary code or cause a system reload.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2017-6741?

CVE-2017-6741 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 17 Jul 2017. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability in the SNMP implementation of could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to cause a reload of the affected system or to remotely execute code. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted SNMP packet to the affected device.  The vulnerability is due to a buffer overflow in the affected code area. The vulnerability affects all versions of SNMP (versions 1, 2c, and 3). The attacker must know the SNMP read only community string (SNMP version 2c or earlier) or the user credentials (SNMPv3). An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain full control of the system or to cause a reload of the affected system. Only traffic directed to the affected system can be used to exploit this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-6741?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Cisco Ios Xe.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6741?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-6741 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2017-6741 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-6741 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Cisco Ios Xe vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-4p2r-xxqf-p9x8.