CVE-2017-18261

The arch_timer_reg_read_stable macro in arch/arm64/include/asm/arch_timer.h in the Linux kernel...

5.5 MediumFix available

The arch_timer_reg_read_stable macro in arch/arm64/include/asm/arch_timer.h in the Linux kernel before 4.13 allows local users to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion) by writing to a file under /sys/kernel/debug in certain circumstances, as demonstrated by a scenario involving debugfs, ftrace, PREEMPT_TRACER, and FUNCTION_GRAPH_TRACER.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: None
Integrity: None
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

0.33%Down 0.1 points since Apr 14, 2021

What each source reports

NVD Score used 5.5

Record: CVE-2017-18261
CVSS 3.0: 5.5 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 4.9 MediumAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
Weakness: CWE-835
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

Record: CVE-2017-18261
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2017-9389 No score

Record: EUVD-2017-9389
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-g64f-gxfj-jr57 5.5

The arch_timer_reg_read_stable macro in arch/arm64/include/asm/arch_timer.h in the Linux kernel...

Record: GHSA-g64f-gxfj-jr57
CVSS 3.0: 5.5 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness: CWE-835
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 5.5

Record: CVE-2017-18261
CVSS 3.0: 5.5 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2017-18261 5.5

Record: DEBIAN-CVE-2017-18261
CVSS 3.0: 5.5 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2017-18261 5.5

Record: UBUNTU-CVE-2017-18261
CVSS 3.0: 5.5 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

linux kernel

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`linux` Debian:12	before 4.13.4-1	4.13.4-1
`linux` Debian:13	before 4.13.4-1	4.13.4-1
`linux` Debian:14	before 4.13.4-1	4.13.4-1

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	affected
Nov 3, 2026	aliases	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2017-18261 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.5) in Linux Kernel, published April 19, 2018. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.33%, the 26th percentile. Fixed in linux 4.13.4-1.