QID 316903

Date Published: 2021-03-26

QID 316903: Cisco IOS XE Software Easy Virtual Switching System Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability(cisco-sa-ios-xe-evss-code-exe-8cw5VSvw)

A vulnerability in the Easy Virtual Switching System (VSS) feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches
and Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated,
remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the
underlying Linux operating system of an affected device.

Affected Products
Cisco Catalyst 4500 and 4500-X Series Switches if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco IOS XE Software and
one of the following conditions is true: i. The switch is being converted from standalone mode to virtual switch mode using the Easy VSS feature. ii. Cisco Discovery Protocol is enabled with Application type, length, value (TLV) information.

QID Detection Logic (Authenticated):
The check matches Cisco IOS XE version retrieved via Unix Auth using "show version" command.
QID Detection Logic (Unauthenticated):
The check matches Cisco IOS XE version retrieved via SNMP or TCP/IP Fingerprint or NTP or Telnet.

A successful exploit could allow the attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition
or execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying Linux operating system of the affected device.

  • CVSS V3 rated as Critical - 9.8 severity.
  • CVSS V2 rated as Critical - 9.3 severity.
    • Solution

    Customers are advised to refer to cisco-sa-ios-xe-evss-code-exe-8cw5VSvw for more information.

    Vendor References

    CVEs related to QID 316903

    CVE-2021-1451 |
    Software Advisories
    Advisory ID Software Component Link
    cisco-sa-ios-xe-evss-code-exe-8cw5VSvw URL Logo tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ios-xe-evss-code-exe-8cw5VSvw
    By selecting these links, you may be leaving CVEreport webspace. We have provided these links to other websites because they may have information that would be of interest to you. No inferences should be drawn on account of other sites being referenced, or not, from this page. There may be other websites that are more appropriate for your purpose. CVEreport does not necessarily endorse the views expressed, or concur with the facts presented on these sites. Further, CVEreport does not endorse any commercial products that may be mentioned on these sites. Please address comments about any linked pages to [email protected].

    © CVE.report 2026

    Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. It is the responsibility of user to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content. EACH USER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY consequences of his or her direct or indirect use of this web site. ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. This site will NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT or any other kind of loss.

    CVE, CWE, and OVAL are registred trademarks of The MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. This site includes MITRE data granted under the following license.

    Free CVE JSON API cve.report/api

    CVE.report and Source URL Uptime Status status.cve.report