CVE-2017-2616: A race condition was found in util-linux before 2.32.1 in the way su handled the management of child processes
29
Routine
MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2017-2616 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting util-linux, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A race condition was found in util-linux before 2.32.1 in the way su handled the management of child processes. A local authenticated attacker could use this flaw to kill other processes with root privileges under specific conditions.
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 8.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0
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.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
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.
redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
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.
redhat enterprise linux server aus MITIGATE
Affected: 7.3 · 7.4
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3
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.
redhat enterprise linux server eus MITIGATE
Affected: 7.3 · 7.4 · 7.5
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3
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 sourceNVD · 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-2017-2616?
util-linux: upgrade to 2.32.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2017-2616 being exploited?
CVE-2017-2616 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-2017-2616 affect?
CVE-2017-2616 affects util-linux, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A race condition was found in util-linux before 2.32.1 in the way su handled the management of child processes. A local authenticated attacker could use this flaw to kill other processes with root privileges under specific conditions.
PatchTheCVE