CVE-2017-16879

Name: CVE-2017-16879
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-11-22T22:29:00.223+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 2.38%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-16879 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Stack-based buffer overflow in the _nc_write_entry function in tinfo/write_entry.c in ncurses 6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic.. EPSS estimates a 2.38% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the _nc_write_entry function in tinfo/write_entry.c in ncurses 6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.38%

81.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Ncurses	6.0

References

http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/145045/GNU-ncurses-6.0-tic-Denial-Of-Service.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201804-13Third Party Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewAlert.x?alertId=57695Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/145045/GNU-ncurses-6.0-tic-Denial-Of-Service.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201804-13Third Party Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewAlert.x?alertId=57695Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 22, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-16879?

How severe is CVE-2017-16879?

CVE-2017-16879 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.38% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16879?

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-2017-16879?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST