What is CVE-2017-12229?

CVE-2017-12229 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco iOS Xe, classified under Improper Authentication. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2017-09-29.

How severe is CVE-2017-12229?

Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.

Is CVE-2017-12229 known to be exploited?

1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Auth bypass in Cisco iOS Xe

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.

Vulnerability class: Broken Authentication

Published 2017-09-29 · last modified 2026-06-17.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 9.8 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.052 (92.2th percentile), scored 2026-10-07.

Low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, but still tracked. 92nd percentile — 92.2% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.052 · newest: 0.052 · change: 0.000

Affected products

Cisco iOS Xe — versions 3.1.3as, 3.2.0ja, 3.2.1xo
Cisco iOS Xe — versions Cisco IOS XE

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-287 — Improper Authentication

Public proof-of-concept exploits

ARPSyndicate/cve-scores

References

tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170927… (Vendor Advisory)
www.securitytracker.com/id/1039447 (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry)
www.securityfocus.com/bid/101032 (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-12229?: CVE-2017-12229 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco iOS Xe, classified under Improper Authentication. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2017-09-29.
How severe is CVE-2017-12229?: Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.
Is CVE-2017-12229 known to be exploited?: 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.