PatchTheCVECVE-2017-12424: In shadow before 4.5, the newusers tool could be made to manipulate internal data structures in ways unintende
CVE-2017-12424 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting shadow, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
In shadow before 4.5, the newusers tool could be made to manipulate internal data structures in ways unintended by the authors. Malformed input may lead to crashes (with a buffer overflow or other memory corruption) or other unspecified behaviors. This crosses a privilege boundary in, for example, certain web-hosting environments in which a Control Panel allows an unprivileged user account to create subaccounts.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.7% (top 14%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-119 |
| Published | 2017-08-04 |
| 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
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-2017-12424?
shadow: upgrade to 4.5; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2017-12424 being exploited?
CVE-2017-12424 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-2017-12424 affect?
CVE-2017-12424 affects shadow, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In shadow before 4.5, the newusers tool could be made to manipulate internal data structures in ways unintended by the authors. Malformed input may lead to crashes (with a buffer overflow or other memory corruption) or other unspecified beh
How urgent is CVE-2017-12424?
Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
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