How severe is CVE-2016-6474?

CVE-2016-6474 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2016-6474 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6474?

CVE-2016-6474 affects Cisco Ios. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6474?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-6474 published?

CVE-2016-6474 was published on 2016-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6474

CVE-2016-6474 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
CVSS v2: 5.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (69th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Cisco Ios
Published: 2016-12-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the implementation of X.509 Version 3 for SSH authentication functionality in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication on an affected system. More Information: CSCuv89417. Known Affected Releases: 15.5(2.25)T. Known Fixed Releases: 15.2(4)E1 15.2(4)E2 15.2(4)E3 15.2(4)EA4 15.2(4.0r)EB 15.2(4.1.27)EB 15.2(4.4.2)EA4 15.2(4.7.1)EC 15.2(4.7.2)EC 15.2(5.1.1)E 15.2(5.5.63)E 15.2(5.5.64)E 15.4(1)IA1.80 15.5(3)M1.1 15.5(3)M2 15.5(3)S1.4 15.5(3)S2 15.6(0.22)S0.12 15.6(1)T0.1 15.6(1)T1 15.6(1.15)T 15.6(1.17)S0.7 15.6(1.17)SP 15.6(1.22.1a)T0 15.6(2)S 15.6(2)SP 16.1(1.24) 16.1.2 16.2(0.247) 16.3(0.11) 3.8(1)E Denali-16.1.2.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6474?: A vulnerability in the implementation of X.509 Version 3 for SSH authentication functionality in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication on an affected system. More Information: CSCuv89417. Known Affected Releases: 15.5(2.25)T. Known Fixed Releases: 15.2(4)E1 15.2(4)E2 15.2(4)E3 15.2(4)EA4 15.2(4.0r)EB 15.2(4.1.27)EB 15.2(4.4.2)EA4 15.2(4.7.1)EC 15.2(4.7.2)EC 15.2(5.1.1)E 15.2(5.5.63)E 15.2(5.5.64)E 15.4(1)IA1.80 15.5(3)M1.1 15.5(3)M2 15.5(3)S1.4 15.5(3)S2 15.6(0.22)S0.12 15.6(1)T0.1 15.6(1)T1 15.6(1.15)T 15.6(1.17)S0.7 15.6(1.17)SP 15.6(1.22.1a)T0 15.6(2)S 15.6(2)SP 16.1(1.24) 16.1.2 16.2(0.247) 16.3(0.11) 3.8(1)E Denali-16.1.2.
How severe is CVE-2016-6474?: CVE-2016-6474 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2016-6474 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6474?: CVE-2016-6474 affects Cisco Ios. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6474?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-6474 published?: CVE-2016-6474 was published on 2016-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios:15.5\(2.25\)t:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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