Privilege escalation in Linux Util-Linux
CVE-2017-2616
A race condition was found in util-linux before 2.32.1 in the way su handled the management of child processes. A local authenticated attacker could use this flaw to kill other processes with root privileges under specific conditions.
EPSS: 0.003 (20.2th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 5.5 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
Affected products
- Linux Util-linux — versions 2.32.1
- Util-linux_project Util-linux
- Debian Debian_linux — versions 8.0
- Redhat Enterprise_linux_desktop — versions 6.0, 7.0
- Redhat Enterprise_linux_server — versions 6.0, 7.0
- Redhat Enterprise_linux_server_aus — versions 7.3, 7.4
- Redhat Enterprise_linux_server_eus — versions 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
- Redhat Enterprise_linux_workstation — versions 6.0, 7.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- secalert@redhat.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Patch, Third Party Advisory, Issue Tracking)
- secalert@redhat.com (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry, x_refsource_BID)
- secalert@redhat.com (x_refsource_REDHAT, vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory)
- secalert@redhat.com (x_refsource_REDHAT, vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory)
- secalert@redhat.com (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO)
- secalert@redhat.com (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN)
- secalert@redhat.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Patch, Third Party Advisory)
- secalert@redhat.com (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry, x_refsource_SECTRACK)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-2616?
- CVE-2017-2616 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Util-Linux, classified under Privilege Defined With Unsafe Actions. CVSS score: 5.5/10. Published 2018-07-27.
- How severe is CVE-2017-2616?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.5 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2017-2616 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.