MEDIUM CVSS 5.9
Published: 2017-02-27

CVE-2017-6297

mikrotik routeros Security Advisory (CVE-2017-6297)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2017-6297 impacting mikrotik routeros. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 5.9 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
The L2TP Client in MikroTik RouterOS versions 6.38.3 and 6.37.4 does not enable IPsec encryption after a reboot, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to view transmitted data unencrypted and gain access to networks on the L2TP server by monitoring the packets for the transmitted data and obtaining the L2TP secret.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
High (AC:H)
Depends on race conditions or environment
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
None (I:N)
No system modification impact
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product mikrotik / routeros
Affected Versions 6.37.4
Weakness Enumeration CWE-311

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2017-6297 impacting mikrotik routeros.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2017-6297.yaml
id: cve-2017-6297

info:
  name: mikrotik routeros - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2017-6297 affecting mikrotik routeros.
    Evaluation: The L2TP Client in MikroTik RouterOS versions 6.38.3 and 6.37.4 does not enable IPsec encryption after a reboot, which allows man-in-the-middle attack...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2017-6297
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
    cvss-score: 5.9
    cve-id: CVE-2017-6297
    cwe-id: CWE-311
  tags: cve,cve-2017-6297,mikrotik,routeros,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "routeros"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2017-6297.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2017-6297
# Target: mikrotik routeros | CVSS: 5.9 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2017-6297 (mikrotik routeros)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against mikrotik routeros scope (6.37.4).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2017-6297.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2017-6297
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install routeros 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade routeros 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update routeros

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i routeros 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i routeros

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2017-6297 in mikrotik routeros?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update mikrotik routeros packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2017-6297?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2017-6297?

CVE-2017-6297 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.9 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
5.9
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2017-6297
Weakness CWE-311
Vendor mikrotik
Product routeros
Published 2017-02-27
Vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N