CVE-2017-2885: An exploitable stack based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GNOME libsoup 2.58

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-2885 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting libsoup, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An exploitable stack based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GNOME libsoup 2.58. A specially crafted HTTP request can cause a stack overflow resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send a special HTTP request to the vulnerable server to trigger this vulnerability.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
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	23.1% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2018-04-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: debian · gnome · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-04-24 19:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnome libsoup DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.58

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.58

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.58 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libsoup sudo apt install libsoup=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.58> sudo apt-mark hold libsoup

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list libsoup sudo dnf downgrade libsoup-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.58> sudo dnf versionlock add libsoup

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: 8.0 · 9.0

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: 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux server aus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4

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: 7.4 · 7.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · shotcut · FIXED · 26.10.30-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7787c7fc2d · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7787c7fc2d

Debian 12 · libsoup2.4 · FIXED · 2.56.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libsoup2.4 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libsoup2.4)" ge "2.56.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · libsoup2.4 · FIXED · 2.56.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libsoup2.4 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libsoup2.4)" ge "2.56.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 7 · libsoup · FIXED · libsoup-2.56.0-4.el7_4

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2017:2459 rpm -q libsoup

RHEL 5 · libsoup · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 6 · libsoup · NOT AFFECTED

Alpine 3.20 · libsoup · FIXED · libsoup-2.58.2-r0

apk add --upgrade libsoup apk info -v libsoup

Alpine 3.21 · libsoup · FIXED · libsoup-2.58.2-r0

apk add --upgrade libsoup apk info -v libsoup

Alpine 3.22 · libsoup · FIXED · libsoup-2.58.2-r0

apk add --upgrade libsoup apk info -v libsoup

Alpine 3.23 · libsoup · FIXED · libsoup-2.58.2-r0

apk add --upgrade libsoup apk info -v libsoup

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2017-0392

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-2017-2885?

libsoup: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; 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-2017-2885 being exploited?

CVE-2017-2885 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-2017-2885 affect?

CVE-2017-2885 affects libsoup, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An exploitable stack based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GNOME libsoup 2.58. A specially crafted HTTP request can cause a stack overflow resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send a special HTTP request to the vu

How urgent is CVE-2017-2885?

Priority 74/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-2784 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE A flaw was found in libsoup
CVE-2026-102559 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in libsoup
CVE-2026-102558 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in libsoup
CVE-2026-102557 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in libsoup
CVE-2026-102556 HIGH 8.6 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in libsoup

References

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