CVE-2017-14609: The server daemons in Kannel 1.5.0 and earlier create a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root accou

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-14609?

kannel: upgrade to newer than 1.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-14609 being exploited?

CVE-2017-14609 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-14609 affect?

CVE-2017-14609 affects kannel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). The server daemons in Kannel 1.5.0 and earlier create a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow local users to kill arbitrary processes by leveraging access to this non-root account for PID file modificat

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-14609?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2017-14609 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting kannel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The server daemons in Kannel 1.5.0 and earlier create a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow local users to kill arbitrary processes by leveraging access to this non-root account for PID file modification before a root script executes a "kill `cat /pathname`" command, as demonstrated by bearerbox.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-665
Published	2017-09-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kannel

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-20 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kannel kannel UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.5.0

Fixed in: newer than 1.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade kannel

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kannel

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2017-14609?

kannel: upgrade to newer than 1.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-14609 being exploited?

CVE-2017-14609 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-2017-14609 affect?

CVE-2017-14609 affects kannel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). The server daemons in Kannel 1.5.0 and earlier create a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow local users to kill arbitrary processes by leveraging access to this non-root account for PID file modificat

How urgent is CVE-2017-14609?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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