Cisco NX-OS Software: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-76471 is a critical-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco NX-OS Software versions: 9.2(3); 9.2(2v); 9.2(1), and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco NX-OS Software you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco NX-OS Software | 9.2(3); 9.2(2v); 9.2(1); 9.2(2t); 9.2(3y); 9.3(2); 9.2(4); 9.3(1); and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Unified Computing System (Managed) | 4.0(1a); 4.1(1d); 4.0(4f); 4.0(4a); 4.0(4e); 4.0(4c); 4.0(4h); 4.1(1c); and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A vulnerability in the NX-API feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of data that is sent to the NX-API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the NX-API of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges and could cause process crashes, which could result in a reload of the device and a DoS condition.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco NX-OS Software
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
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