CVE-2018-0481

Name: CVE-2018-0481
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-10-05T14:29:05.67+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.7/10EPSS 0.49%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-0481 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.7/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute commands on the underlying Linux shell of an affected device with root privileges. The vulnerability exist because the affected software improperly sanitizes command arguments, failing to prevent access to certain internal data structures on an affected device. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute commands on the underlying Linux shell of an affected device with root privileges. The vulnerability exist because the affected software improperly sanitizes command arguments, failing to prevent access to certain internal data structures on an affected device. An attacker who has privileged EXEC mode (privilege level 15) access to an affected device could exploit these vulnerabilities on the device by executing CLI commands that contain custom arguments. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the affected device.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.49%

38.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cisco	Ios Xe	15.3\(3\)s3.16
Cisco	Ios Xe	16.7\(1\)
Cisco	Ios Xe	16.7.1

References

http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041737Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180926-iosxe-cmdinjVendor Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041737Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180926-iosxe-cmdinjVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 5, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-0481?

How severe is CVE-2018-0481?

CVE-2018-0481 has a CVSS score of 6.7/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.49% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-0481?

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-2018-0481?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST