CVE-2017-12188

Name: CVE-2017-12188
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-10-11T15:29:00.18+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.44%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-12188 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. arch/x86/kvm/mmu.c in the Linux kernel through 4.13.5, when nested virtualisation is used, does not properly traverse guest pagetable entries to resolve a guest virtual address, which allows L1 guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the host OS or cause a denial of service (incorrect index during page walking, and host OS crash), aka an "MMU potential stack buffer overrun.". EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

arch/x86/kvm/mmu.c in the Linux kernel through 4.13.5, when nested virtualisation is used, does not properly traverse guest pagetable entries to resolve a guest virtual address, which allows L1 guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the host OS or cause a denial of service (incorrect index during page walking, and host OS crash), aka an "MMU potential stack buffer overrun."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.44%

35.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.6, < 4.9.57
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.10, < 4.13.8

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101267Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0395Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0412Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1500380Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/9996579/Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/9996587/Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101267Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0395Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0412Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1500380Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/9996579/Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/9996587/Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 11, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-12188?

How severe is CVE-2017-12188?

CVE-2017-12188 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12188?

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-2017-12188?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST