CVE-2017-16939
Kernel: ipsec: xfrm: use-after-free leading to potential privilege escalation
Severity
ImportantRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.0
Review impact separately from score.
Published · November 24, 2017
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
The Linux kernel is vulerable to a use-after-free flaw when Transformation User configuration interface(CONFIG_XFRM_USER) compile-time configuration were enabled. This vulnerability occurs while closing a xfrm netlink socket in xfrm_dump_policy_done. A user/process could abuse this flaw to potentially escalate their privileges on a system.
Statement
This issue does not affect the versions of Linux kernel as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.
This issue affects the version of the kernel package as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2. Future kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2 may address this issue.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
No mitigation is specified in collected source.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.0 · 8.1CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0 · 6.2AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
CWE-416 · Use After Free