CVE-2017-7476: Gnulib before 2017-04-26 has a heap-based buffer overflow with the TZ environment variable

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-7476?

gnulib: upgrade to newer than 2017-04-25. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-7476 being exploited?

CVE-2017-7476 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-2017-7476 affect?

CVE-2017-7476 affects gnulib. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Gnulib before 2017-04-26 has a heap-based buffer overflow with the TZ environment variable. The error is in the save_abbr function in time_rz.c.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-7476?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2017-7476 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gnulib. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Gnulib before 2017-04-26 has a heap-based buffer overflow with the TZ environment variable. The error is in the save_abbr function in time_rz.c.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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	3.7% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2017-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: gnulib

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-05-02 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnulib gnulib UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2017-04-25

Fixed in: newer than 2017-04-25

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2017-04-25 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gnulib

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-2017-7476?

gnulib: upgrade to newer than 2017-04-25. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-7476 being exploited?

CVE-2017-7476 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-2017-7476 affect?

CVE-2017-7476 affects gnulib. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Gnulib before 2017-04-26 has a heap-based buffer overflow with the TZ environment variable. The error is in the save_abbr function in time_rz.c.

How urgent is CVE-2017-7476?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-17942 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE The convert_to_decimal function in vasnprintf.c in Gnulib before 2018-09-23 has a heap-based buffer overflow b

References

← Back to latest CVEs