In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not…
Priority LOW 25CWE-59Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Will not fix Red Hat: no fix planned
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-59 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not read) files on the system as root, triggering tape rewinds, watchdogs, or similar mechanisms that can be triggered by opening files.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.0042 36th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Will not fix Red Hat: no fix planned
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 14.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 16.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 17.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 17.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:a:x:libxfont:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1.0.0 to before 1.5.4; 2.0.0 to before 2.0.3 | Vulnerable | X |
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 14.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 17.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 17.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:a:x:libxfont:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1.0.0 to before 1.5.4; 2.0.0 to before 2.0.3 Vulnerable ·X
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2017-16611
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-vjcj-64vh-89f7
References
Patch 3
Advisory 4
Sources
- CVE-2017-16611 · CVE Program
- CVE-2017-16611 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-vjcj-64vh-89f7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2017-16611 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences