CVE-2017-12238

Name: CVE-2017-12238
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-09-29T01:34:48.997+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 2.03%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-12238 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) code of Cisco IOS 15.0 through 15.4 for Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a C6800-16P10G or C6800-16P10G-XL type line card to crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to a memory management issue in the affected software. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 2.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) code of Cisco IOS 15.0 through 15.4 for Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a C6800-16P10G or C6800-16P10G-XL type line card to crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to a memory management issue in the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a large number of VPLS-generated MAC entries in the MAC address table of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a C6800-16P10G or C6800-16P10G-XL type line card to crash, resulting in a DoS condition. This vulnerability affects Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series Switches that are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS Software and have a Cisco C6800-16P10G or C6800-16P10G-XL line card in use with Supervisor Engine 6T. To be vulnerable, the device must also be configured with VPLS and the C6800-16P10G or C6800-16P10G-XL line card needs to be the core-facing MPLS interfaces. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCva61927.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.03%

78.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-399

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios	>= 15.0, <= 15.4

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101040Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039453Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170927-vplsVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101040Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039453Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170927-vplsVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-12238US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Sep 29, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12238?

How severe is CVE-2017-12238?

CVE-2017-12238 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.03% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12238?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-12238?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST