CVE-2016-6473

What it is

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS on Catalyst Switches and Nexus 9300 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a Layer 2 network storm. More Information: CSCuu69332, CSCux07028. Known Affected Releases: 15.2(3)E. Known Fixed Releases: 12.2(50)SE4 12.2(50)SE5 12.2(50)SQ5 12.2(50)SQ6 12.2(50)SQ7 12.2(52)EY4 12.2(52)SE1 12.2(53)EX 12.2(53)SE 12.2(53)SE1 12.2(53)SE2 12.2(53)SG10 12.2(53)SG11 12.2(53)SG2 12.2(53)SG9 12.2(54)SG1 12.2(55)EX3 12.2(55)SE 12.2(55)SE1 12.2(55)SE10 12.2(55)SE2 12.2(55)SE3 12.2(55)SE4 12.2(55)SE5 12.2(55)SE6 12.2(55)SE7 12.2(55)SE8 12.2(55)SE9 12.2(58)EZ 12.2(58)SE1 12.2(58)SE2 12.2(60)EZ 12.2(60)EZ1 12.2(60)EZ2 12.2(60)EZ3 12.2(60)EZ4 12.2(60)EZ5 12.2(60)EZ6 12.2(60)EZ7 12.2(60)EZ8 15.0(1)EY2 15.0(1)SE 15.0(1)SE2 15.0(1)SE3 15.0(2)EA 15.0(2)EB 15.0(2)EC 15.0(2)ED 15.0(2)EH 15.0(2)EJ 15.0(2)EJ1 15.0(2)EK1 15.0(2)EX 15.0(2)EX1 15.0(2)EX3 15.0(2)EX4 15.0(2)EX5 15.0(2)EY 15.0(2)EY1 15.0(2)EY2 15.0(2)EZ 15.0(2)SE 15.0(2)SE1 15.0(2)SE2 15.0(2)SE3 15.0(2)SE4 15.0(2)SE5 15.0(2)SE6 15.0(2)SE7 15.0(2)SE9 15.0(2)SG10 15.0(2)SG3 15.0(2)SG6 15.0(2)SG7 15.0(2)SG8 15.0(2)SG9 15.0(2a)EX5 15.1(2)SG 15.1(2)SG1 15.1(2)SG2 15.1(2)SG3 15.1(2)SG4 15.1(2)SG5 15.1(2)SG6 15.2(1)E 15.2(1)E1 15.2(1)E2 15.2(1)E3 15.2(1)EY 15.2(2)E 15.2(2)E3 15.2(2b)E.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited from the same network segment without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2016-12-14 00:59 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 00:51 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2016-12-14 00:59 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 00:51 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-74

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco iOS 15.0\(2\)se8
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(2\)e1
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(2\)e2
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(2a\)e1
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(3\)e
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(3\)e1
• Cisco iOS 15.2\(3a\)e

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 6.5

Attack vector

Adjacent network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2016-6473.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2016-6473. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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