How severe is CVE-2018-0301?

CVE-2018-0301 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-2018-0301 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 18% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-0301?

CVE-2018-0301 primarily affects Cisco Nx-os. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-0301?

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-2018-0301 published?

CVE-2018-0301 was published on 2018-06-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-0301

CVE-2018-0301 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Nx-os with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 18% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 18% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Cisco Nx-os
Published: 2018-06-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in the NX-API feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to craft a packet to the management interface on an affected system, causing a buffer overflow. The vulnerability is due to incorrect input validation in the authentication module of the NX-API subsystem. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP or HTTPS packet to the management interface of an affected system with the NX-API feature enabled. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root. Note: NX-API is disabled by default. This vulnerability affects: MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd45804, CSCve02322, CSCve02412.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-0301?: A vulnerability in the NX-API feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to craft a packet to the management interface on an affected system, causing a buffer overflow. The vulnerability is due to incorrect input validation in the authentication module of the NX-API subsystem. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP or HTTPS packet to the management interface of an affected system with the NX-API feature enabled. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as root. Note: NX-API is disabled by default. This vulnerability affects: MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd45804, CSCve02322, CSCve02412.
How severe is CVE-2018-0301?: CVE-2018-0301 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-2018-0301 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 18% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-0301?: CVE-2018-0301 primarily affects Cisco Nx-os. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-0301?: 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-2018-0301 published?: CVE-2018-0301 was published on 2018-06-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (10)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.0\(3\)i7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:nx-os:6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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