CVE-2017-10979: An FR-GV-202 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 allows "Write overflow in rad_coalesce()" - this allows rem

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-10979 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting freeradius. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An FR-GV-202 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 allows "Write overflow in rad_coalesce()" - this allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.0% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2017-07-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: freeradius

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-07-17 17:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freeradius freeradius DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.0 · 2.0.0 pre1 · 2.0.0 pre2 · 2.0.1 · 2.0.2 · 2.0.3 · 2.0.4 · 2.0.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy freeradius || rpm -q freeradius || freeradius --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison freeradius sudo apt install freeradius=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold freeradius

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list freeradius sudo dnf downgrade freeradius-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> 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.

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.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-10979?

freeradius: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-10979 being exploited?

CVE-2017-10979 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-2017-10979 affect?

CVE-2017-10979 affects freeradius. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An FR-GV-202 issue in FreeRADIUS 2.x before 2.2.10 allows "Write overflow in rad_coalesce()" - this allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code.

How urgent is CVE-2017-10979?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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