CVE-2018-0147
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitA vulnerability in Java deserialization used by Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device.
Published Mar 8, 2018 · Updated Jan 14, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2018-0147 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Secure Access Control System (Cisco).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 16, 2022. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 18% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
18%
Higher than 97.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2018-0147 brief as a PDF
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Description
A vulnerability in Java deserialization used by Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insecure deserialization of user-supplied content by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted serialized Java object. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device with root privileges. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh25988.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 16, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 25, 2022 | Apr 15, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 25, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
2 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Access Control SystemCisco | 5.2\(0.3\), >= Cisco Secure Access Control System | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 8, 2018
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 16, 2022
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 25, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 25, 2022
Last updated
Jan 14, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
- advisoryhttps://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180307-acs2
- advisory103328
- advisory1040463
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
A vulnerability in Java deserialization used by Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device.
Affected: Secure Access Control System (Cisco) versions 5.2\(0.3\), >= Cisco Secure Access Control System. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 16, 2022.
Yes. It was added on Mar 25, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 15, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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