CVE-2017-8890: Double Free

Published May 9, 2017
·
Updated

Last updated 29 November 2024

Other sources

The inetcskclonelock function in net/ipv4/inetconnectionsock.c in the Linux kernel allows attackers to cause a denial of service (double free) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging use of the accept system call.

References:

https://2freeman.github.io/2018/01/06/CVE-2017-8890-internals.html

Upstream patch:

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=657831ffc38e30092a2d5f03d385d710eb88b09a

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8b485ce69876c65db12ed390e7f9c0d2a64eff2c

Red Hat

The inetcskclonelock function in net/ipv4/inetconnectionsock.c in the Linux kernel allows attackers to cause a denial of service (double free) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging use of the accept system call. An unprivileged local user could use this flaw to induce kernel memory corruption on the system, leading to a crash. Due to the nature of the flaw, privilege escalation cannot be fully ruled out, although we believe it is unlikely.

The inetcskclonelock function in net/ipv4/inetconnectionsock.c in the Linux kernel through 4.10.15 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (double free) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging use of the accept system call.

Affected Software

16 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<0:2.6.32-754.el6
0:2.6.32-754.el6
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
Google Android
Linux Linux Kernel<3.2.89
Linux Linux Kernel>=3.3<3.10.106
Linux Linux Kernel>=3.11<3.16.44
Linux Linux Kernel>=3.17<3.18.56
Linux Linux Kernel>=3.19<4.1.42
Linux Linux Kernel>=4.2<4.4.71
Linux Linux Kernel>=4.5<4.9.31
Linux Linux Kernel>=4.10<4.11.4
Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Linux=9.0
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 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.6.32-754.el6
  2. Upgrade

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

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

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

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

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

    Fixed in 1:3.10.0-693.2.1.rt56.585.el6
  5. 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
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel (net/ipv4/inet_connection_sock.c: inet_csk_clone_lock) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 657831ffc38e30092a2d5f03d385d710eb88b09a
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel (net/ipv4/inet_connection_sock.c: inet_csk_clone_lock) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 8b485ce69876c65db12ed390e7f9c0d2a64eff2c
  8. Compensating control

    As a mitigative measure for this issue (double free/DoS via accept() in inet_csk_clone_lock), restrict/limit untrusted local users’ ability to trigger the vulnerable path by applying appropriate OS access controls (least privilege / restrict who can invoke the relevant functionality).

Event History

May 9, 2017
CVE Published
12:00 AM
May 10, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Description
May 15, 2017
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·01:25 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 5, 2017
Data Sourced
via Android·12:00 AM
SeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:41 PM
Description
Dec 1, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·02:05 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2017-8890?

CVE-2017-8890 has a severity level that allows attackers to cause a denial of service through a double free condition.

2

How do I fix CVE-2017-8890?

To fix CVE-2017-8890, upgrade your Linux kernel to the patched versions specified in your distribution's errata.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2017-8890?

CVE-2017-8890 affects various versions of the Linux kernel, particularly those older than the patched versions provided by Red Hat and Debian.

4

What impact could CVE-2017-8890 have on my system?

CVE-2017-8890 can lead to a denial of service or potentially allow for further unspecified impacts on affected systems.

5

Is CVE-2017-8890 a common vulnerability?

CVE-2017-8890 is a known vulnerability within the Linux kernel, and systems running vulnerable versions should be prioritized for patching.

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