PatchTheCVECVE-2017-10978: An FR-GV-201 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15 allows "Read / write overflow in make
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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2017-10978 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting freeradius, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
An FR-GV-201 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15 allows "Read / write overflow in make_secret()" and a denial of service.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.5 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 3.8% (top 10%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-119 |
| Published | 2017-07-17 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
freeradius freeradius UPGRADE
Affected: >= 2.0 and < 2.2.10 · >= 3.0.0 and < 3.0.15
Fixed in: 2.2.10, 3.0.15
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy freeradius || rpm -q freeradius || freeradius --version
2. UPGRADE to 2.2.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade freeradius
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade freeradius
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison freeradius
sudo apt install freeradius=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0>
sudo apt-mark hold freeradius
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list freeradius
sudo dnf downgrade freeradius-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add freeradius
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 8.0 · 9.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server aus MITIGATE
Affected: 7.4 · 7.6 · 7.7
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server eus MITIGATE
Affected: 7.4 · 7.5 · 7.6 · 7.7
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2017-10978?
freeradius: upgrade to 2.2.10, 3.0.15; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2017-10978 being exploited?
CVE-2017-10978 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2017-10978 affect?
CVE-2017-10978 affects freeradius, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An FR-GV-201 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15 allows "Read / write overflow in make_secret()" and a denial of service.
How urgent is CVE-2017-10978?
Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
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