CVE-2017-16666: Xplico before 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters i

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-16666?

xplico: upgrade to 1.2.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-16666 being exploited?

CVE-2017-16666 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-16666 affect?

CVE-2017-16666 affects xplico. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Xplico before 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the name of an uploaded PCAP file. NOTE: this issue can be exploited without authentication by leveraging the user registration

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-16666?

Priority 61/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2017-16666 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting xplico. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Xplico before 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the name of an uploaded PCAP file. NOTE: this issue can be exploited without authentication by leveraging the user registration feature.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	80.8% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2018-01-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xplico

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-01-05 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xplico xplico UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.2.1

Fixed in: 1.2.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xplico || rpm -q xplico || xplico --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade xplico

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade xplico

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Xplico - Remote Code Execution (Metasploit)
Metasploit: Xplico Remote Code Execution

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-16666?

xplico: upgrade to 1.2.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-16666 being exploited?

CVE-2017-16666 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-16666 affect?

CVE-2017-16666 affects xplico. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Xplico before 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the name of an uploaded PCAP file. NOTE: this issue can be exploited without authentication by leveraging the user registration

How urgent is CVE-2017-16666?

Priority 61/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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