How severe is CVE-2017-12229?

CVE-2017-12229 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-12229 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-12229?

CVE-2017-12229 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-2017-12229?

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

When was CVE-2017-12229 published?

CVE-2017-12229 was published on 2017-09-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-12229

CVE-2017-12229 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Cisco Ios Xe
Published: 2017-09-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the REST API of the web-based user interface (web UI) of Cisco IOS XE 3.1 through 16.5 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication to the REST API of the web UI of the affected software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation for the REST API of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious API request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass authentication and gain access to the web UI of the affected software. This vulnerability affects Cisco devices that are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software, if the HTTP Server feature is enabled for the device. The newly redesigned, web-based administration UI was introduced in the Denali 16.2 Release of Cisco IOS XE Software. This vulnerability does not affect the web-based administration UI in earlier releases of Cisco IOS XE Software. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuz46036.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-12229?: A vulnerability in the REST API of the web-based user interface (web UI) of Cisco IOS XE 3.1 through 16.5 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication to the REST API of the web UI of the affected software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation for the REST API of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious API request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass authentication and gain access to the web UI of the affected software. This vulnerability affects Cisco devices that are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software, if the HTTP Server feature is enabled for the device. The newly redesigned, web-based administration UI was introduced in the Denali 16.2 Release of Cisco IOS XE Software. This vulnerability does not affect the web-based administration UI in earlier releases of Cisco IOS XE Software. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuz46036.
How severe is CVE-2017-12229?: CVE-2017-12229 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-12229 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-12229?: CVE-2017-12229 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-2017-12229?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-12229 published?: CVE-2017-12229 was published on 2017-09-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.1.3as:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.2.0ja:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.2.1xo:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.4.7asg:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.6.5be:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.8.0ex:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:3.18.3vs:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.1.3a:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.2.2a:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.3.1a:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.5.1a:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xe:16.5.1c:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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