CVE-2017-16611

Name: CVE-2017-16611
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-12-01T17:29:00.463+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-16611 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not read) files on the system as root, triggering tape rewinds, watchdogs, or similar mechanisms that can be triggered by opening files.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not read) files on the system as root, triggering tape rewinds, watchdogs, or similar mechanisms that can be triggered by opening files.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.42%

33.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-59

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	17.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	17.10
X	Libxfont	>= 1.0.0, < 1.5.4
X	Libxfont	>= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3

References

http://security.cucumberlinux.com/security/details.php?id=155Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/28/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3500-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1050459Issue Tracking, Tool Signature, VDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/01/msg00028.htmlIssue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188044218304&w=2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188049718337&w=2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-10Third Party Advisory
http://security.cucumberlinux.com/security/details.php?id=155Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/28/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3500-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1050459Issue Tracking, Tool Signature, VDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/01/msg00028.htmlIssue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188044218304&w=2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188049718337&w=2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-10Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 1, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-16611?

How severe is CVE-2017-16611?

CVE-2017-16611 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16611?

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-2017-16611?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST