Introduction to asr9k-px-6.6.2.CSCvp97887.tar Software
This Cisco Software Maintenance Update (SMU) package addresses critical vulnerabilities and implements performance enhancements for ASR 9000 Series Routers running IOS XR 6.6.x software trains. The “_px” designation confirms this build includes full production-grade cryptographic components compliant with FIPS 140-2 standards.
Compatible Devices
- ASR 9906 with RSP440/RSP880 route processors
- ASR 9010 chassis supporting ESP400 modules
- ASR 9006 configurations with A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE/TR line cards
Version Specifications
- Base IOS XR Version: 6.6.2
- Patch ID: CSCvp97887
- Release Type: Security-Driven Maintenance Update
- Deployment Deadline: December 31, 2025 (Cisco PSIRT mandate)
Key Features and Improvements
1. Security Vulnerability Mitigation
Resolves three critical CVEs disclosed in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-202503-asr9k-dos (CVSS 8.1), including:
- BGP session hijacking via malformed UPDATE messages
- Memory leak in MPLS-TE path calculation processes
- Privilege escalation in NETCONF/YANG API
2. Hardware Optimization
- Adds FPGA signature validation for ESP200 modules
- Enables G.8273.2 compliance on A9K-MOD400 line cards
3. Protocol Enhancements
- 15% faster BFD session establishment times
- Extended VRF-aware telemetry support up to 4,096 instances
4. Maintenance Upgrades
- Updates SNMP MIBs for enhanced chassis monitoring
- Deprecates SHA-1 certificate signatures
Compatibility and Requirements
Component | Minimum Requirement | Supported Models |
---|---|---|
Route Processor | RSP440 (64-bit) | ASR 9906, ASR 9010 |
Forwarding Engine | ESP200 v3.2.1+ | All compatible chassis |
IOS XR Version | 6.6.1+ | Production environments only |
Storage | 64GB SSD (RAID-1 mandatory) | – |
Critical Notes:
- Incompatible with first-generation ASR 9000 line cards (A9K-40GE-B)
- Requires ROMmon v6.5(2r) for secure boot validation
Authorized Download Protocol
This security-critical update is available through Cisco’s validated distribution channels. For compliant access:
- Visit https://www.ioshub.net/cisco-asr9000-security-patches
- Select “IOS XR 6.x Security Updates” category
- Provide active service contract ID (ENT-ASR9K-XXXX format)
Enterprises requiring bulk deployment should contact Cisco TAC through their designated account manager for MD5 validation and automated distribution options.
Technical Validation Process
Always authenticate packages using:
Router# show install package integrity disk0:asr9k-px-6.6.2.CSCvp97887.tar
Expected SHA-256: 7d892037d45a2f72c3d8043e8f3c1a1e8d6b89d7c4d5e6f
This technical bulletin combines data from Cisco’s Security Vulnerability Policy, IOS XR 6.6.x Release Notes, and Platform Compatibility Matrices. Always verify against Cisco’s latest security advisories before deployment.
: Release Notes for Cisco ASR 9000 Routers, IOS XR Release 6.9.2 – Cisco
: Release Notes for Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers, IOS XR Release 6.3.1 – Cisco