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TI-2017-12498 Aliases CVE-2017-16997GHSA-q5m3-4jcg-c4rf

Untrusted search path in glibc 2.19 through 2.26

Priority LOW 39CWE-426Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 10 fixed, 3 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-426.

Summary

elf/dl-load.c in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) 2.19 through 2.26 mishandles RPATH and RUNPATH containing $ORIGIN for a privileged (setuid or AT_SECURE) program, which allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse library in the current working directory, related to the fillin_rpath and decompose_rpath functions. This is associated with misinterpretion of an empty RPATH/RUNPATH token as the "./" directory. NOTE: this configuration of RPATH/RUNPATH for a privileged program is apparently very uncommon; most likely, no such program is shipped with any common Linux distribution.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.02895 87th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 10 fixed, 3 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
—glibc 2.19 through 2.26glibc 2.19 through 2.26—No fix listedCNA
  • glibc 2.19 through 2.26 Vendor— Affected glibc 2.19 through 2.26 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 10

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.19VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.20VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.21VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.22VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.23VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.25VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.26:*:*:*:*:*:*:*2.26VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*7.0VulnerableRed Hat
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.19 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.20 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.21 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.22 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.23:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.23 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.25:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.25 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:2.26:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.26 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
  • cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat

Remediation

Red Hat 1 advisory

  • RHSA-2018:3092 Released 2018-10-30 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    glibc security, bug fix, and enhancement update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) glibc-2.17-260.el7, glibc-common-2.17-260.el7, glibc-devel-2.17-260.el7 +3
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) glibc-static-2.17-260.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) glibc-2.17-260.el7, glibc-common-2.17-260.el7, glibc-devel-2.17-260.el7 +3
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) glibc-static-2.17-260.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) glibc-2.17-260.el7, glibc-2.17-260.el7.ppc, glibc-common-2.17-260.el7 +5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) glibc-static-2.17-260.el7, glibc-static-2.17-260.el7.ppc
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) glibc-2.17-260.el7, glibc-common-2.17-260.el7, glibc-devel-2.17-260.el7 +3
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) glibc-static-2.17-260.el7
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) glibc-2.17-260.el7, glibc-common-2.17-260.el7, glibc-devel-2.17-260.el7 +3
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) glibc-static-2.17-260.el7

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7AffectedNo fix planned: Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7)Fixed RHSA-2018:3092
Not affected: 1 product
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2017-16997
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-q5m3-4jcg-c4rf

References

Patch 3

Advisory 2

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences