How severe is CVE-2016-6438?

CVE-2016-6438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-6438 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6438?

CVE-2016-6438 primarily affects Cisco Ios Xe. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6438?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2016-6438 published?

CVE-2016-6438 was published on 2016-10-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6438

CVE-2016-6438 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.9)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Cisco Ios Xe
Published: 2016-10-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software running on Cisco cBR-8 Converged Broadband Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a configuration integrity change to the vty line configuration on an affected device. This vulnerability affects the following releases of Cisco IOS XE Software running on Cisco cBR-8 Converged Broadband Routers: All 3.16S releases, All 3.17S releases, Release 3.18.0S, Release 3.18.1S, Release 3.18.0SP. More Information: CSCuz62815. Known Affected Releases: 15.5(3)S2.9, 15.6(2)SP. Known Fixed Releases: 15.6(1.7)SP1, 16.4(0.183), 16.5(0.1).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6438?: A vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software running on Cisco cBR-8 Converged Broadband Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a configuration integrity change to the vty line configuration on an affected device. This vulnerability affects the following releases of Cisco IOS XE Software running on Cisco cBR-8 Converged Broadband Routers: All 3.16S releases, All 3.17S releases, Release 3.18.0S, Release 3.18.1S, Release 3.18.0SP. More Information: CSCuz62815. Known Affected Releases: 15.5(3)S2.9, 15.6(2)SP. Known Fixed Releases: 15.6(1.7)SP1, 16.4(0.183), 16.5(0.1).
How severe is CVE-2016-6438?: CVE-2016-6438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2016-6438 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6438?: CVE-2016-6438 primarily affects Cisco Ios Xe. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6438?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-6438 published?: CVE-2016-6438 was published on 2016-10-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.0cs:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.0s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.1as:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.1s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.2as:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.2bs:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.2s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.3as:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.3s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.16.4s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.17.0s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.17.1as:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.17.1s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.17.2s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.18.0s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.18.0sp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.18.1s:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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