CVE-2017-9732: The read_packet function in knc (Kerberised NetCat) before 1.11-1 is vulnerable to denial of service (memory e

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-9732?

kerberised netcat: upgrade to 1.11-1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-9732 being exploited?

CVE-2017-9732 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-2017-9732 affect?

CVE-2017-9732 affects kerberised netcat. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The read_packet function in knc (Kerberised NetCat) before 1.11-1 is vulnerable to denial of service (memory exhaustion) that can be exploited remotely without authentication, possibly affecting another services running on the targeted host

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-9732?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2017-9732 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting kerberised netcat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The read_packet function in knc (Kerberised NetCat) before 1.11-1 is vulnerable to denial of service (memory exhaustion) that can be exploited remotely without authentication, possibly affecting another services running on the targeted host.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.0% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400
Published	2018-12-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: secure-endpoints

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-12-20 23:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:28 UTCUpdated Record last modified

secure-endpoints kerberised netcat UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.11-1

Fixed in: 1.11-1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kerberised-netcat || rpm -q kerberised-netcat || kerberised-netcat --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.11-1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade kerberised-netcat

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kerberised-netcat

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-2017-9732?

kerberised netcat: upgrade to 1.11-1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-9732 being exploited?

CVE-2017-9732 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-2017-9732 affect?

CVE-2017-9732 affects kerberised netcat. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The read_packet function in knc (Kerberised NetCat) before 1.11-1 is vulnerable to denial of service (memory exhaustion) that can be exploited remotely without authentication, possibly affecting another services running on the targeted host

How urgent is CVE-2017-9732?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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