Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software improperly validates packet data, allowing an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a reload of an affected device, cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, or perform code execution on the affected device.
Cisco ยท IOS and IOS XE
Known ransomware use: Unknown
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Recent reporting that mentions CVE-2018-0171.
Russian state-backed hackers are exploiting a seven-year-old Cisco Smart Install vulnerability (CVE-2018-0171) in end-of-life devices, prompting warnings from the FBI and Cisco Talos
In addition to using CVE-2018-0171 and other Cisco bugs to break into telecom networks, the China-sponsored APT is also using using stolen login credentials for initial access.
Cisco has confirmed that a Chinese threat actor known as Salt Typhoon gained access by likely abusing a known security flaw tracked as CVE-2018-0171, and by obtaining legitimate victim login credentials as part of a targeted campaign aimed at major U.S. telecommunications companies