CVE-2017-16939

Name: CVE-2017-16939
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-11-24T10:29:00.213+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 2.15%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-16939 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The XFRM dump policy implementation in net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c in the Linux kernel before 4.13.11 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) via a crafted SO_RCVBUF setsockopt system call in conjunction with XFRM_MSG_GETPOLICY Netlink messages.. EPSS estimates a 2.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The XFRM dump policy implementation in net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c in the Linux kernel before 4.13.11 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) via a crafted SO_RCVBUF setsockopt system call in conjunction with XFRM_MSG_GETPOLICY Netlink messages.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.15%

79.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 2.6.28, < 3.2.97
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.16.52
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.86
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.1.48
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.2, < 4.4.104
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.9.60
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.10, < 4.13.11
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=1137b5e2529a8f5ca8ee709288ecba3e68044df2Patch, Technical Description
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00007.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Nov/40Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.13.11Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101954Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1318Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1355Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:1170Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:1190Third Party Advisory
https://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/3535Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1069702Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/1137b5e2529a8f5ca8ee709288ecba3e68044df2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/12/msg00004.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4082Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=1137b5e2529a8f5ca8ee709288ecba3e68044df2Patch, Technical Description
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00007.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Nov/40Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.13.11Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101954Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1318Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1355Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:1170Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:1190Third Party Advisory
https://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/3535Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1069702Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/1137b5e2529a8f5ca8ee709288ecba3e68044df2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/12/msg00004.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4082Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 24, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-16939?

How severe is CVE-2017-16939?

CVE-2017-16939 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16939?

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-2017-16939?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST