CVE-2017-5546
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5...
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
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
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
7.8
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
CVE-2017-5546- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 7.2 High
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
CVE-2017-5546- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2017-14647 No score
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
EUVD-2017-14647- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-2cfp-q4hx-m356
7.8
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5...
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
GHSA-2cfp-q4hx-m356- CVSS 3.0
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.8
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
CVE-2017-5546- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2017-5546
7.8
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2017-5546- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2017-5546
7.8
The freelist-randomization feature in mm/slab.c in the Linux kernel 4.8.x and 4.9.x before 4.9.5 allows local users to cause a denial of service (duplicate freelist entries and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging the selection of a large value for a random number.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2017-5546- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.0
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-3361-1 No score
linux-hwe vulnerabilities
USN-3358-1 fixed vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel for Ubuntu 17.04. This update provides the corresponding updates for the Linux Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel from Ubuntu 17.04 for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. Please note that this update changes the Linux HWE kernel to the 4.10 based kernel from Ubuntu 17.04, superseding the 4.8 based HWE kernel from Ubuntu 16.10.
Ben Harris discovered that the Linux kernel would strip extended privilege attributes of files when performing a failed unprivileged system call. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service. (CVE-2015-1350)
Ralf Spenneberg discovered that the ext4 implementation in the Linux kernel did not properly validate meta block groups. An attacker with physical access could use this to specially craft an ext4 image that causes a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2016-10208)
Peter Pi discovered that the colormap handling for frame buffer devices in the Linux kernel contained an integer overflow. A local attacker could use this to disclose sensitive information (kernel memory). (CVE-2016-8405)
It was discovered that an integer overflow existed in the InfiniBand RDMA over ethernet (RXE) transport implementation in the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2016-8636)
Vlad Tsyrklevich discovered an integer overflow vulnerability in the VFIO PCI driver for the Linux kernel. A local attacker with access to a vfio PCI device file could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2016-9083, CVE-2016-9084)
CAI Qian discovered that the sysctl implementation in the Linux kernel did not properly perform reference counting in some situations. An unprivileged attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system hang). (CVE-2016-9191)
It was discovered that the keyring implementation in the Linux kernel in some situations did not prevent special internal keyrings from being joined by userspace keyrings. A privileged local attacker could use this to bypass module verification. (CVE-2016-9604)
Dmitry Vyukov, Andrey Konovalov, Florian Westphal, and Eric Dumazet discovered that the netfiler subsystem in the Linux kernel mishandled IPv6 packet reassembly. A local user could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2016-9755)
Andy Lutomirski and Willy Tarreau discovered that the KVM implementation in the Linux kernel did not properly emulate instructions on the SS segment register. A local attacker in a guest virtual machine could use this to cause a denial of service (guest OS crash) or possibly gain administrative privileges in the guest OS. (CVE-2017-2583)
Dmitry Vyukov discovered that the KVM implementation in the Linux kernel improperly emulated certain instructions. A local attacker could use this to obtain sensitive information (kernel memory). (CVE-2017-2584)
Dmitry Vyukov discovered that KVM implementation in the Linux kernel improperly emulated the VMXON instruction. A local attacker in a guest OS could use this to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) in the host OS. (CVE-2017-2596)
It was discovered that SELinux in the Linux kernel did not properly handle empty writes to /proc/pid/attr. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2017-2618)
Daniel Jiang discovered that a race condition existed in the ipv4 ping socket implementation in the Linux kernel. A local privileged attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2017-2671)
It was discovered that the freelist-randomization in the SLAB memory allocator allowed duplicate freelist entries. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2017-5546)
It was discovered that the KLSI KL5KUSB105 serial-to-USB device driver in the Linux kernel did not properly initialize memory related to logging. A…
- Record
USN-3361-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
linuxDebian:12 |
before 4.9.6-1 | 4.9.6-1 |
linuxDebian:13 |
before 4.9.6-1 | 4.9.6-1 |
linuxDebian:14 |
before 4.9.6-1 | 4.9.6-1 |
linux-hweUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
before 4.10.0-32.36~16.04.1, plus listed versions 4.8.0-36.36~16.04.14.8.0-39.42~16.04.14.8.0-41.44~16.04.14.8.0-42.45~16.04.14.8.0-44.47~16.04.1 Show 12 moreShow less4.8.0-45.48~16.04.14.8.0-46.49~16.04.14.8.0-49.52~16.04.14.8.0-51.54~16.04.14.8.0-52.55~16.04.14.8.0-53.56~16.04.14.8.0-54.57~16.04.14.8.0-56.61~16.04.14.8.0-58.63~16.04.14.10.0-27.30~16.04.24.10.0-28.32~16.04.24.10.0-30.34~16.04.1 |
4.10.0-32.36~16.04.1 |
linux-azureUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.15.0-1002.24.15.0-1003.34.15.0-1004.44.15.0-1008.84.15.0-1009.9 Show 39 moreShow less4.15.0-1012.124.15.0-1013.134.15.0-1014.144.15.0-1018.184.15.0-1019.194.15.0-1021.214.15.0-1022.234.15.0-1023.244.15.0-1025.264.15.0-1028.294.15.0-1030.314.15.0-1031.324.15.0-1032.334.15.0-1035.364.15.0-1036.384.15.0-1037.394.18.0-1011.11~18.04.14.18.0-1013.13~18.04.14.18.0-1014.14~18.04.14.18.0-1018.18~18.04.14.18.0-1019.19~18.04.14.18.0-1020.20~18.04.14.18.0-1023.24~18.04.14.18.0-1024.25~18.04.14.18.0-1025.27~18.04.15.0.0-1014.14~18.04.15.0.0-1016.17~18.04.15.0.0-1018.19~18.04.15.0.0-1020.21~18.04.15.0.0-1022.23~18.04.15.0.0-1023.24~18.04.15.0.0-1025.27~18.04.15.0.0-1027.29~18.04.15.0.0-1028.30~18.04.15.0.0-1029.31~18.04.15.0.0-1031.335.0.0-1032.345.0.0-1035.375.0.0-1036.38 |
None known |
linux-gcpUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.15.0-1001.14.15.0-1003.34.15.0-1005.54.15.0-1006.64.15.0-1008.8 Show 33 moreShow less4.15.0-1009.94.15.0-1010.104.15.0-1014.144.15.0-1015.154.15.0-1017.184.15.0-1018.194.15.0-1019.204.15.0-1021.224.15.0-1023.244.15.0-1024.254.15.0-1025.264.15.0-1026.274.15.0-1027.284.15.0-1028.294.15.0-1029.314.15.0-1030.324.15.0-1032.344.15.0-1033.354.15.0-1034.364.15.0-1036.384.15.0-1037.394.15.0-1040.424.15.0-1042.454.15.0-1044.705.0.0-1020.20~18.04.15.0.0-1021.21~18.04.15.0.0-1025.26~18.04.15.0.0-1026.27~18.04.15.0.0-1028.29~18.04.15.0.0-1029.30~18.04.15.0.0-1031.325.0.0-1033.345.0.0-1034.35 |
None known |
linux-hweUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.18.0-13.14~18.04.14.18.0-14.15~18.04.14.18.0-15.16~18.04.14.18.0-16.17~18.04.14.18.0-17.18~18.04.1 Show 38 moreShow less4.18.0-18.19~18.04.14.18.0-20.21~18.04.14.18.0-21.22~18.04.14.18.0-22.23~18.04.14.18.0-24.25~18.04.14.18.0-25.26~18.04.15.0.0-23.24~18.04.15.0.0-25.26~18.04.15.0.0-27.28~18.04.15.0.0-29.31~18.04.15.0.0-31.33~18.04.15.0.0-32.34~18.04.25.0.0-35.38~18.04.15.0.0-36.39~18.04.15.0.0-37.40~18.04.15.3.0-26.28~18.04.15.3.0-28.30~18.04.15.3.0-40.32~18.04.15.3.0-42.34~18.04.15.3.0-45.37~18.04.15.3.0-46.38~18.04.15.3.0-51.44~18.04.25.3.0-53.47~18.04.15.3.0-59.53~18.04.15.3.0-61.55~18.04.15.3.0-62.56~18.04.15.3.0-64.58~18.04.15.3.0-65.595.3.0-66.605.3.0-67.615.3.0-68.635.3.0-69.655.3.0-70.665.3.0-72.685.3.0-73.695.3.0-74.705.3.0-75.715.3.0-76.72 |
None known |
linux-azure-fdeUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.4.0-1063.66+cvm2.25.4.0-1063.66+cvm3.25.4.0-1064.67+cvm1.15.4.0-1065.68+cvm2.15.4.0-1067.70+cvm1.1 Show 21 moreShow less5.4.0-1068.71+cvm1.15.4.0-1069.72+cvm1.15.4.0-1070.73+cvm1.15.4.0-1072.75+cvm1.15.4.0-1073.76+cvm1.15.4.0-1074.77+cvm1.15.4.0-1076.79+cvm1.15.4.0-1078.81+cvm1.15.4.0-1080.83+cvm1.15.4.0-1083.87+cvm1.15.4.0-1085.90+cvm1.15.4.0-1085.90+cvm2.15.4.0-1086.91+cvm1.15.4.0-1089.94+cvm1.25.4.0-1090.95+cvm1.15.4.0-1091.96+cvm1.15.4.0-1092.97+cvm1.15.4.0-1095.101+cvm1.15.4.0-1098.104+cvm1.15.4.0-1100.106+cvm1.15.4.0-1103.109+cvm1.1 |
None known |
linux-gkeUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.4.0-1033.355.4.0-1035.375.4.0-1036.385.4.0-1037.395.4.0-1039.41 Show 45 moreShow less5.4.0-1041.435.4.0-1042.445.4.0-1043.455.4.0-1044.465.4.0-1046.485.4.0-1049.525.4.0-1051.545.4.0-1052.555.4.0-1053.565.4.0-1054.575.4.0-1055.585.4.0-1056.595.4.0-1057.605.4.0-1059.625.4.0-1061.645.4.0-1062.655.4.0-1063.665.4.0-1065.685.4.0-1066.695.4.0-1067.705.4.0-1068.715.4.0-1071.765.4.0-1072.775.4.0-1074.795.4.0-1076.825.4.0-1078.845.4.0-1080.865.4.0-1081.875.4.0-1083.895.4.0-1084.905.4.0-1086.935.4.0-1087.945.4.0-1090.975.4.0-1091.985.4.0-1094.1015.4.0-1095.1025.4.0-1096.1035.4.0-1097.1045.4.0-1098.1055.4.0-1099.1065.4.0-1100.1075.4.0-1101.1085.4.0-1102.1095.4.0-1103.1105.4.0-1104.111 |
None known |
linux-raspi2Ubuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.3.0-1007.85.3.0-1014.165.3.0-1015.175.3.0-1017.195.4.0-1004.45.4.0-1006.6 |
None known |
Show 6 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
linux-riscvUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.4.0-24.285.4.0-26.305.4.0-27.315.4.0-28.325.4.0-30.34 Show 7 moreShow less5.4.0-31.355.4.0-33.375.4.0-34.385.4.0-36.415.4.0-37.425.4.0-39.445.4.0-40.45 |
None known |
linux-intel-iot-realtimeUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.15.0-1073.75 |
None known |
linux-realtimeUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.15.0-1032.35 |
None known |
linux-riscvUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 5.13.0-1004.45.13.0-1006.6+22.04.15.13.0-1007.7+22.04.15.13.0-1010.11+22.04.15.15.0-1004.4 Show 18 moreShow less5.15.0-1005.55.15.0-1006.65.15.0-1007.75.15.0-1008.85.15.0-1011.125.15.0-1012.135.15.0-1014.165.15.0-1015.175.15.0-1016.185.15.0-1017.195.15.0-1018.215.15.0-1019.225.15.0-1020.235.15.0-1022.265.15.0-1023.275.15.0-1026.305.15.0-1027.315.15.0-1028.32 |
None known |
linux-raspi-realtimeUbuntu:24.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 6.8.0-2019.20 |
None known |
linux-hweUbuntu:16.04:LTS From an advisory covering 40 CVEs |
before 4.10.0-27.30~16.04.2, plus listed versions 4.8.0-36.36~16.04.14.8.0-39.42~16.04.14.8.0-41.44~16.04.14.8.0-42.45~16.04.14.8.0-44.47~16.04.1 Show 9 moreShow less4.8.0-45.48~16.04.14.8.0-46.49~16.04.14.8.0-49.52~16.04.14.8.0-51.54~16.04.14.8.0-52.55~16.04.14.8.0-53.56~16.04.14.8.0-54.57~16.04.14.8.0-56.61~16.04.14.8.0-58.63~16.04.1 |
4.10.0-27.30~16.04.2 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2017-5546 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) in Linux Kernel, published February 6, 2017. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.42%, the 36th percentile. Fixed in linux 4.9.6-1.
References
github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29f
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/21/3
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1415733
git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit?id=c4e490cf148e85ead0d1b1c2caaba833f1d5b29f
kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.5
securityfocus.com/bid/95711
Show 45 moreShow less
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5546
github.com/advisories/GHSA-2cfp-q4hx-m356
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-5546
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5546
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-3361-1
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-5546
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-1350
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8405
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8636
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-9083
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-9084
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-9191
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-9604
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-9755
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-10208
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-2583
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-2584
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-2596
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-2618
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-2671
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5549
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5550
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5551
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5576
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5669
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5897
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5970
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6001
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6214
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6345
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6346
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6347
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-6348
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7187
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7261
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7273
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7472
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7616
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7618
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7645
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7889
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-7895
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-8924
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-8925
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-9150
Left out here: 1 version and the rest of 1 source description. The JSON record has them.