How severe is CVE-2017-6971?

CVE-2017-6971 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-6971 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-6971?

CVE-2017-6971 primarily affects Alienvault Ossim. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6971?

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-2017-6971 published?

CVE-2017-6971 was published on 2017-03-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-6971

CVE-2017-6971 is a high-severity vulnerability in Alienvault Ossim with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 16% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-74.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 16% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-74
Affected product: Alienvault Ossim
Published: 2017-03-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.3.7 and NfSen before 1.3.8 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands in a privileged context, or launch a reverse shell, via vectors involving the PHP session ID and the NfSen PHP code, aka AlienVault ID ENG-104862.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-6971?: AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.3.7 and NfSen before 1.3.8 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands in a privileged context, or launch a reverse shell, via vectors involving the PHP session ID and the NfSen PHP code, aka AlienVault ID ENG-104862.
How severe is CVE-2017-6971?: CVE-2017-6971 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-6971 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6971?: CVE-2017-6971 primarily affects Alienvault Ossim. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6971?: 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-2017-6971 published?: CVE-2017-6971 was published on 2017-03-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:alienvault:ossim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:alienvault:unified_security_management:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:nfsen:nfsen:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Alienvault Ossim

CVE-2017-6972 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.3.7 and NfSen before 1.3.8 have an error in privilege dropping and unnecessarily…
CVE-2016-7955 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The logcheck function in session.inc in AlienVault OSSIM before 5.3.1, when an action has been created, and USM before…
CVE-2017-6970 — High (CVSS 8.4): AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.3.7 and NfSen before 1.3.8 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands in a…
CVE-2009-3439 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) before 2.1.2 allow remote…
CVE-2009-3441 — Medium (CVSS 5.0): Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) before 2.1.2 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication, and…
CVE-2009-3440 — Medium (CVSS 4.3): Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) before 2.1.2 allows…

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