# CVE-2018-0301: Memory corruption in Cisco NX-OS unknown

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary code as root via crafted packets to the NX-API management interface, which is disabled by default.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 20 Jun 2018
- **Updated:** 29 Nov 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jpgw-r8hc-2x2x

## What is CVE-2018-0301?

CVE-2018-0301 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Cisco Nx-Os, published on 20 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability in the NX-API feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to craft a packet to the management interface on an affected system, causing a buffer overflow. The vulnerability is due to incorrect input validation in the authentication module of the NX-API subsystem. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP or HTTPS packet to the management interface of an affected system with the NX-API feature enabled. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root. Note: NX-API is disabled by default. This vulnerability affects: MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd45804, CSCve02322, CSCve02412.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer), CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-0301?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cisco Nx-Os.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-0301?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-0301 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-0301 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-0301 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Nx-Os

- [CVE-2024-20399](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-20399/): Cisco NX-OS Command Injection (medium 6.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-1361](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1361/): Cisco NX-OS Software Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Actions Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-1453](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1453/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-1341](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1341/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-20650](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-20650/): Cisco NX-OS Software NX-API Command Injection Vulnerability (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-0301 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-0301 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Cisco Nx-Os, published on 20 Jun 2018. 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-2018-0301 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Cisco Nx-Os. 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-2018-0301/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-0301/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-0301
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0301
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-0301

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-0301/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.