CVE-2017-5970: Null Pointer Dereference

Published Feb 13, 2017
·
Updated

A vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel. A remote attacker that can send packets containing malicious IP options could cause the ipv4pktinfoprepare() function to drop/free the dst. This could result in a system crash or possible privilege escalation if the attacker is able to place crafted objects in this dropped location.

Upstream patch:

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=34b2cef20f19c87999fff3da4071e66937db9644

References:

http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2017/q1/414 https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/724136/

Other sources

The ipv4pktinfoprepare function in net/ipv4/ipsockglue.c in the Linux kernel through 4.9.9 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) via (1) an application that makes crafted system calls or possibly (2) IPv4 traffic with invalid IP options.

Launchpad

Affected Software

3 affected componentsFixes available
Google Android
Linux Linux Kernel<=4.9.9
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.22-16.12.25-1

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 5.10.234-1Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.135-1Fixed in 6.12.22-1Fixed in 6.12.25-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.9.9
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 34b2cef20f19c87999fff3da4071e66937db9644
  4. Compensating control

    Mitigate by preventing remote attackers from sending IPv4 packets with malicious/invalid IP options (e.g., filter/block such traffic at the network edge so it cannot reach affected systems).

Event History

Feb 13, 2017
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·10:37 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Feb 14, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:30 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:30 AM
Description
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:38 PM
Description
Dec 1, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·02:02 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Mar 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via Debian·03:48 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2017-5970?

CVE-2017-5970 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows attackers to cause a denial of service by making crafted system calls or sending IPv4 traffic with invalid IP options.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2017-5970?

CVE-2017-5970 has a severity rating of high (7 out of 10).

3

How does CVE-2017-5970 affect Linux kernel?

CVE-2017-5970 affects the Linux kernel versions up to 4.9.9.

4

What is the remedy for CVE-2017-5970?

The remedy for CVE-2017-5970 is to update the Linux kernel to version 4.10 or later.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2017-5970?

You can find more information about CVE-2017-5970 at the following references: [Link 1](http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=34b2cef20f19c87999fff3da4071e66937db9644), [Link 2](http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2017/q1/414), [Link 3](https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/724136/).

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