CVE-2017-17053

Name: CVE-2017-17053
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-11-29T03:29:00.3+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 0.38%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-17053 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. The init_new_context function in arch/x86/include/asm/mmu_context.h in the Linux kernel before 4.12.10 does not correctly handle errors from LDT table allocation when forking a new process, allowing a local attacker to achieve a use-after-free or possibly have unspecified other impact by running a specially crafted program. This vulnerability only affected kernels built with CONFIG_MODIFY_LDT_SYSCALL=y.. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The init_new_context function in arch/x86/include/asm/mmu_context.h in the Linux kernel before 4.12.10 does not correctly handle errors from LDT table allocation when forking a new process, allowing a local attacker to achieve a use-after-free or possibly have unspecified other impact by running a specially crafted program. This vulnerability only affected kernels built with CONFIG_MODIFY_LDT_SYSCALL=y.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.38%

29.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.4.144, < 4.4.153
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.6, < 4.9.46
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.10, < 4.12.10

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5ccIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/102010Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0676Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5ccPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.12.10Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5ccIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/102010Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0676Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/ccd5b3235180eef3cfec337df1c8554ab151b5ccPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.12.10Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 29, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-17053?

How severe is CVE-2017-17053?

CVE-2017-17053 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.38% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-17053?

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-2017-17053?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST