CVE-2017-5546

Name: CVE-2017-5546
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-02-06T06:59:00.48+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-5546 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.

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

0.42%

33.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.7, < 4.9.5

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.5Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/21/3Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95711Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1415733Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.5Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/21/3Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95711Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1415733Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 6, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-5546?

How severe is CVE-2017-5546?

CVE-2017-5546 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-5546?

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-2017-5546?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST