CVE-2017-12166

Name: CVE-2017-12166
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-10-04T01:29:02.09+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 3.63%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-12166 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.. EPSS estimates a 3.63% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

3.63%

88.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Openvpn	Openvpn	< 2.3.18
Openvpn	Openvpn	>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.4
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101153Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry, URL Repurposed
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039470Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry, URL Repurposed
https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/CVE-2017-12166Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/05/msg00002.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101153Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry, URL Repurposed
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039470Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry, URL Repurposed
https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/CVE-2017-12166Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/05/msg00002.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 4, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12166?

OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.

How severe is CVE-2017-12166?

CVE-2017-12166 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.63% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12166?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-12166?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST