CVE-2017-5618: GNU screen before 4.5.1 allows local users to modify arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges by

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-5618?

screen: upgrade to newer than 4.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-5618 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5618 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-2017-5618 affect?

CVE-2017-5618 affects screen. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). GNU screen before 4.5.1 allows local users to modify arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges by leveraging improper checking of logfile permissions.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-5618?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2017-5618 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting screen. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

GNU screen before 4.5.1 allows local users to modify arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges by leveraging improper checking of logfile permissions.

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	1.1% (top 35%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2017-03-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnu

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-20 16:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu screen UPGRADE

Affected: <= 4.5.0

Fixed in: newer than 4.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade screen

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-2017-5618?

screen: upgrade to newer than 4.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-5618 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5618 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-2017-5618 affect?

CVE-2017-5618 affects screen. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). GNU screen before 4.5.1 allows local users to modify arbitrary files and consequently gain root privileges by leveraging improper checking of logfile permissions.

How urgent is CVE-2017-5618?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-24626 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE socket.c in GNU Screen through 4.9.0, when installed setuid or setgid (the default on platforms such as Arch L
CVE-2021-26937 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE encoding.c in GNU Screen through 4.8.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write acc
CVE-2020-9366 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE A buffer overflow was found in the way GNU Screen before 4.8.0 treated the special escape OSC 49

References

← Back to latest CVEs