---
id: "CVE-2018-0171"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2018-0171"]
title: "Cisco IOS and IOS XE: Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Smart Install Remote Code Execution Vulnerability"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 10.0
epss: 0.99479
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Cisco IOS and IOS XE", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["cisco", "exploited", "infrastructure", "ios", "ios-xe", "network-gear"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-ios-version", "smart-install-disabled"]
published_at: "2018-03-28T22:29:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:53+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2018-0171", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:53+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2018-0171", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:13:44+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0171", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00"}]
---

# Cisco IOS and IOS XE: Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Smart Install Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Smart Install improperly validates packet data, letting an unauthenticated remote attacker reload the device or run code on it. CISA lists it as actively exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Cisco IOS and IOS XE affected ? fixed ?

## Fix

Apply the Cisco IOS and IOS XE updates per the vendor advisory; the sources do not name the fixed versions.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:53+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2018-0171
- 2026-10-23T19:13:44+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2018-0171
- 2026-10-23T21:57:35+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0171

## From the sources

A vulnerability in the Smart Install feature of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a reload of an affected device, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition, or to execute arbitrary code on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of packet data. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted Smart Install message to an affected device on TCP port 4786. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a buffer overflow on the affected device, which could have the following impacts: Triggering a reload of the device, Allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device, Causing an indefinite loop on the affected device that triggers a watchdog crash. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg76186.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_