CVE-2018-0147: Technical Deep-Dive (Auto Refreshed)

Generated on 2026-03-30T15:34:46.230Z. This file is automatically regenerated every 30 minutes by the CVE AI enrichment job using web sources (NVD, MITRE, CISA KEV, GitHub).

Executive Technical Summary

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.

• Context preserved from previous revision: 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. 1. Use only isolated environments and systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.

Technical Details

• CVE: CVE-2018-0147
• KEV date added: 2022-03-25
• KEV due date: 2022-04-15
• NVD published: 2018-03-08
• NVD modified: 2026-01-14
• MITRE modified: 2026-01-12
• CVSS base score: 9.8
• CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
• CVSS exploitability score: 3.9
• CVSS impact score: 5.9
• Attack vector: Network
• Attack complexity: Low
• Privileges required: None
• User interaction: None
• Scope: Unchanged
• Confidentiality impact: High
• Integrity impact: High
• Availability impact: High

Versions and Products Impacted

• cisco / secure access control system (versions: 5.2(0.3))
• n/a / Cisco Secure Access Control System (versions: Cisco Secure Access Control System)

Weakness Classification

• CWE-20
• CWE-502

Repositories for Lab Validation (Public Examples)

• Ostorlab/KEV | stars: 608 | updated: 2026-03-23 | https://github.com/Ostorlab/KEV
  Notes: Ostorlab KEV: One-command to detect most remotely known exploitable vulnerabilities. Sourced from CISA KEV, Google's Tsunami, Ostorlab's Asteroid and Bug Bounty programs.
• chnzzh/OpenSSL-CVE-lib | stars: 6 | updated: 2026-03-29 | https://github.com/chnzzh/OpenSSL-CVE-lib
• Lokii-git/ike-hunter | stars: 0 | updated: 2026-01-21 | https://github.com/Lokii-git/ike-hunter
  Notes: Advanced IKE/VPN Security Assessment Tool - Comprehensive IPSec vulnerability scanner with CVE detection

People and Organizations Mentioned

• cisco
• Secure Access Control System (ACS)
• Ostorlab
• chnzzh
• Lokii-git

Practical Defensive Validation (Authorized Only)

1. Use only isolated environments and systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.
2. Snapshot infrastructure before validation and preserve baseline logs (EDR, SIEM, OS, app).
3. Inventory cisco / secure access control system (versions: 5.2(0.3)) assets and confirm exact vulnerable versions with automated checks.
4. Patch in staged environments and validate closure with scanners + service health checks.
5. Map detections to MITRE ATT&CK tactics relevant to your environment and tune alert quality.

References

• NVD record: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0147
• MITRE CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-0147
• CISA KEV Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
• CISA KEV JSON feed: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/feeds/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json
• KEV notes: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-0147
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103328
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040463
• https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180307-acs2
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-0147
• Repository example: https://github.com/Ostorlab/KEV
• Repository example: https://github.com/chnzzh/OpenSSL-CVE-lib
• Repository example: https://github.com/Lokii-git/ike-hunter

This content is for defensive security training and authorized validation only.