CVE-2017-15923: Konversation 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x, and 1.7.x before 1.7.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-15923 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting konversation, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Konversation 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x, and 1.7.x before 1.7.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via vectors related to parsing of IRC color formatting codes.

Why this priority

High severity
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	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2017-11-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · konversation

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-11-15 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

konversation konversation UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.4 and < 1.7.3

Fixed in: 1.7.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.7.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade konversation

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 1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison konversation sudo apt install konversation=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo apt-mark hold konversation

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list konversation sudo dnf downgrade konversation-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo dnf versionlock add konversation

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: 7.0 · 8.0 · 9.0

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.

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-2017-15923?

konversation: upgrade to 1.7.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-15923 being exploited?

CVE-2017-15923 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-2017-15923 affect?

CVE-2017-15923 affects konversation, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Konversation 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x, and 1.7.x before 1.7.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via vectors related to parsing of IRC color formatting codes.

How urgent is CVE-2017-15923?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-5050 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE konversation before 1.2.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service.

References

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