How severe is CVE-2017-12261?

CVE-2017-12261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-12261 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-12261?

CVE-2017-12261 primarily affects Cisco Identity Services Engine. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12261?

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-2017-12261 published?

CVE-2017-12261 was published on 2017-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-12261

CVE-2017-12261 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Cisco Identity Services Engine
Published: 2017-11-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the restricted shell of the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) that is accessible via SSH could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary CLI commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is due to incomplete input validation of the user input for CLI commands issued at the restricted shell. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device and executing commands that could lead to elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid user credentials to the device to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects the following Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) products running Release 1.4, 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.1.0: ISE, ISE Express, ISE Virtual Appliance. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve74916.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-12261?: A vulnerability in the restricted shell of the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) that is accessible via SSH could allow an authenticated, local attacker to run arbitrary CLI commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is due to incomplete input validation of the user input for CLI commands issued at the restricted shell. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device and executing commands that could lead to elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid user credentials to the device to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects the following Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) products running Release 1.4, 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.1.0: ISE, ISE Express, ISE Virtual Appliance. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve74916.
How severe is CVE-2017-12261?: CVE-2017-12261 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-12261 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-12261?: CVE-2017-12261 primarily affects Cisco Identity Services Engine. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-12261?: 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-2017-12261 published?: CVE-2017-12261 was published on 2017-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine:2.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_express:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_express:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_express:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_express:2.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_virtual_appliance:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_virtual_appliance:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_virtual_appliance:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:identity_services_engine_virtual_appliance:2.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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