CVE-2017-6951: Null Pointer Dereference

Published Mar 3, 2017
·
Updated

Last updated 24 July 2024

Other sources

The keyringsearchaux function in security/keys/keyring.c in the Linux kernel allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and OOPS) via a requestkey system call for the "dead" type.

References:

http://www.spinics.net/lists/keyrings/msg01846.html

Upstream patch:

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=c06cfb08b88d

Red Hat

The keyringsearchaux function in security/keys/keyring.c in the Linux kernel allows local users to cause a denial of service via a requestkey system call for the "dead" key type.

The keyringsearchaux function in security/keys/keyring.c in the Linux kernel through 3.14.79 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and OOPS) via a requestkey system call for the "dead" type.

Affected Software

5 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel-rt<0:3.10.0-693.rt56.617.el7
0:3.10.0-693.rt56.617.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-693.el7
0:3.10.0-693.el7
redhat/kernel-rt<1:3.10.0-693.2.1.rt56.585.el6
1:3.10.0-693.2.1.rt56.585.el6
Linux Linux kernel<=3.14.79
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.133-16.12.21-16.12.22-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel-rt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-693.rt56.617.el7
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-693.el7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel-rt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1:3.10.0-693.2.1.rt56.585.el6
  4. 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 6.1.133-1Fixed in 6.12.21-1Fixed in 6.12.22-1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch c06cfb08b88d
  6. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 3.14.79

Event History

Mar 3, 2017
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Mar 16, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:59 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Mar 17, 2017
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·08:09 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:38 PM
Description
Sep 16, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·01:50 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the vulnerability ID?

The vulnerability ID is CVE-2017-6951.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2017-6951?

The severity of CVE-2017-6951 is medium with a CVSS score of 5.5.

3

What is the affected software?

The affected software includes Linux kernel versions up to 3.14.79.

4

How can this vulnerability be exploited?

This vulnerability can be exploited by local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and OOPS) via a request_key system call for the "dead" type.

5

Are there any references for CVE-2017-6951?

Yes, you can refer to the following links for more information: http://www.spinics.net/lists/keyrings/msg01846.html, https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=c06cfb08b88d, https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/attachment.cgi?id=1268882&action=diff

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203