CVE-2017-17864: Infoleak

Published Dec 23, 2017
·
Updated

kernel/bpf/verifier.c in the Linux kernel through 4.14.8 mishandles statesequal comparisons between the pointer data type and the UNKNOWNVALUE data type, which allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive address information, aka a "pointer leak."

Affected Software

3 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel<=4.14.8
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.262-16.1.176-16.1.180-16.12.94-16.12.101-17.1.8-17.1.8-2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.262-1Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.180-1Fixed in 6.12.94-1Fixed in 6.12.101-1Fixed in 7.1.8-1Fixed in 7.1.8-2
  2. Compensating control

    Mitigate the Linux kernel pointer leak (CVE: pointer leak via kernel/bpf/verifier.c states_equal mishandling) by limiting local users’ ability to load/use eBPF programs and by restricting access to any interfaces that allow unprivileged eBPF execution (e.g., restrict unprivileged eBPF permissions in your environment).

Event History

Dec 23, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:00 PM
Description
Dec 27, 2017
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:08 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 6, 2025
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·04:17 AM
Description
Jul 16, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·11:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 16, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·11:52 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2017-17864?

CVE-2017-17864 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that mishandles states_equal comparisons and allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive address information, also known as a "pointer leak".

2

What is the severity of CVE-2017-17864?

The severity of CVE-2017-17864 is moderate.

3

How does CVE-2017-17864 affect Linux?

CVE-2017-17864 affects the Linux kernel through version 4.14.8.

4

How can I fix CVE-2017-17864?

To fix CVE-2017-17864, update your Linux kernel to version 4.15 or later.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2017-17864?

You can find more information about CVE-2017-17864 on the Debian website.

Contact

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