CVE-2017-20148: In the ebuild package through logcheck-1.3.23.ebuild for Logcheck on Gentoo, it is possible to achieve root pr

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-20148?

logcheck: upgrade to newer than 1.3.23. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-20148 being exploited?

CVE-2017-20148 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-2017-20148 affect?

CVE-2017-20148 affects logcheck. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the ebuild package through logcheck-1.3.23.ebuild for Logcheck on Gentoo, it is possible to achieve root privilege escalation from the logcheck user because of insecure recursive chown calls.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-20148?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2017-20148 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting logcheck. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the ebuild package through logcheck-1.3.23.ebuild for Logcheck on Gentoo, it is possible to achieve root privilege escalation from the logcheck user because of insecure recursive chown calls.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
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	1.1% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2022-09-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-09-20 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian logcheck UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.3.23

Fixed in: newer than 1.3.23

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.3.23 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade logcheck

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-2017-20148?

logcheck: upgrade to newer than 1.3.23. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-20148 being exploited?

CVE-2017-20148 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-2017-20148 affect?

CVE-2017-20148 affects logcheck. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the ebuild package through logcheck-1.3.23.ebuild for Logcheck on Gentoo, it is possible to achieve root privilege escalation from the logcheck user because of insecure recursive chown calls.

How urgent is CVE-2017-20148?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2004-0404 LOW 1.2 UPGRADE logcheck before 1.1.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary dire

References

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