How severe is CVE-2017-6649?

CVE-2017-6649 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-2017-6649 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (54th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-6649?

CVE-2017-6649 primarily affects Cisco Nx-os. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6649?

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-2017-6649 published?

CVE-2017-6649 was published on 2017-05-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-6649

CVE-2017-6649 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Nx-os 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (54th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Cisco Nx-os
Published: 2017-05-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS System Software 7.1 through 7.3 running on Cisco Nexus Series Switches could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a command injection attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting crafted command arguments into a vulnerable CLI command. An exploit could allow the attacker to read or write arbitrary files at the user's privilege level outside of the user's path. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvb86787, CSCve60516, CSCve60555.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-6649?: A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS System Software 7.1 through 7.3 running on Cisco Nexus Series Switches could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a command injection attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting crafted command arguments into a vulnerable CLI command. An exploit could allow the attacker to read or write arbitrary files at the user's privilege level outside of the user's path. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvb86787, CSCve60516, CSCve60555.
How severe is CVE-2017-6649?: CVE-2017-6649 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-2017-6649 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (54th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6649?: CVE-2017-6649 primarily affects Cisco Nx-os. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6649?: 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-2017-6649 published?: CVE-2017-6649 was published on 2017-05-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(1\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(2\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(3\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(3\)n1\(2\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(3\)n1\(2.1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(3\)n1\(3.12\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1\(4\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.2\(0\)d1\(0.437\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.2\(0\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.2\(0\)zz\(99.1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.2\(1\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.3\(0\)n1\(1\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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