CVE-2017-17448
kernel: Missing capabilities check in net/netfilter/nfnetlink_cthelper.c allows for unprivileged access to systemwide nfnl_cthelper_list structure
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.0
Review impact separately from score.
Published · December 3, 2017
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
The net/netfilter/nfnetlink_cthelper.c function in the Linux kernel through 4.14.4 does not require the CAP_NET_ADMIN capability for new, get, and del operations. This allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions because the nfnl_cthelper_list data structure is shared across all net namespaces.
Statement
This issue does not affect the Linux kernel packages as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, 6 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2, as a code with the flaw is not present or is not built in the products listed.
This issue affects the versions of the Linux kernel as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, its real-time kernel, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 for ARM 64 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 for Power 9 LE. Future Linux kernel updates for the respective releases 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 · 4.4CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CWE-284 · Improper Access Control