CVE-2016-6415 Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE: information leak
In plain words: The program reveals information it should keep private. Leaked secrets — tokens, passwords or memory contents — that help a bigger attack.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jun 9, 2023
What to do
- Install Cisco's security update for IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
- Restart your phone every few days; some spyware does not survive a reboot.
- If you are a journalist, activist, lawyer, politician or executive, turn on Lockdown Mode (iPhone) or Advanced Protection (Android).
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Messages, photos, location, microphone and camera. The most serious ones are "zero-click": no tap needed from the owner. They are usually used as spyware against a small number of chosen people.
The details
- Official name
- Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE IKEv1 Information Disclosure Vulnerability
- Product
- Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE
- CISA description
- Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE contain insufficient condition checks in the part of the code that handles Internet Key Exchange version 1 (IKEv1) security negotiation requests. contains an information disclosure vulnerability in the Internet Key Exchange version 1 (IKEv1) that could allow an attacker to retrieve memory contents. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to retrieve memory contents, which can lead to information disclosure.
- Type of flaw
- Information leak (CWE-200)
- Confirmed exploited
- May 19, 2023
- US federal patch deadline
- Jun 9, 2023
Ask Cleus about it
Ask about a vulnerability, an update, a weird message, or the news. Plain-word answers, free, no account.
Answering about CVE-2016-6415 ·
Questions about CVE-2016-6415
Is CVE-2016-6415 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-6415 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on May 19, 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6415?
Install Cisco's security update for IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
Am I affected by CVE-2016-6415?
Only if you use Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.