CVE-2017-12166
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow...
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
9.8
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
CVE-2017-12166- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 6.8 Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
CVE-2017-12166- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2017-3742 No score
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
EUVD-2017-3742- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-vffw-rxx6-r4pj
8.1
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow...
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
GHSA-vffw-rxx6-r4pj- CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-119, CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
9.8
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
CVE-2017-12166- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2017-12166
9.8
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12166- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 8 moreShow less
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2017-12166
9.8
OpenVPN versions before 2.3.3 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 are vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2017-12166- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVCLSA-2025-1742577500 No score
Fix CVE(s): CVE-2017-12166
- SECURITY UPDATE: Possible inject of arbitrary data into third-party
executables or plug-ins
- debian/patches/CVE-2017-12166.patch: Fix an out-of-bounds issue preventing potential stack overflow
- CVE-2017-12166
- UPDATE CERTIFICATES: Renew sample keys
- debian/patches/sample-keys-renew.patch: Renew sample keys for 10 years
- Record
CLSA-2025-1742577500- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2017-0372 No score
Updated openvpn packages fix security vulnerability
The bounds check in read_key() was performed after using the value, instead of before. If 'key-method 1' is used, this allowed an attacker to send a malformed packet to trigger a stack buffer overflow. Note that 'key-method 1' has been replaced by 'key method 2' as the default in OpenVPN 2.0 (CVE-2017-12166).
- Record
MGASA-2017-0372- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:11128-1 No score
openvpn-2.5.3-1.2 on GA media
These are all security issues fixed in the openvpn-2.5.3-1.2 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:11128-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2017:2838-1 No score
Security update for openvpn
This update for openvpn fixes the following security issues:
- CVE-2017-12166: OpenVPN was vulnerable to a buffer overflow vulnerability when key-method 1 is used, possibly resulting in code execution. (bsc#1060877).
- CVE-2016-6329: Now show which ciphers should no longer be used in openvpn --show-ciphers to avoid the SWEET32 attack (bsc#995374)
- CVE-2017-7478: OpenVPN was vulnerable to unauthenticated Denial of Service of server via received large control packet. (bsc#1038709)
- CVE-2017-7479: OpenVPN was vulnerable to reachable assertion when packet-ID counter rolls over resulting into Denial of Service of server by authenticated attacker. (bsc#1038711)
- Some other hardening fixes have also been applied (bsc#1038713)
- Record
SUSE-SU-2017:2838-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2017:2839-1 No score
Security update for openvpn
This update for openvpn fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2017-12166: Lack of bound check in read_key in old legacy key handling before using values could be used for a remote buffer overflow (bsc#1060877).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2017:2839-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2017:3177-1 No score
Security update for openvpn-openssl1
This update for openvpn-openssl1 fixes the following issues:
Security issue fixed:
- CVE-2017-12166: Fix remote buffer overflow (bsc#1060877).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2017:3177-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-7340-1 No score
openvpn vulnerabilities
It was discovered that OpenVPN did not perform proper input validation when generating a TLS key under certain configuration, which could lead to a buffer overflow. An attacker could possibly use this issue to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code. This issue only affected Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. (CVE-2017-12166)
Reynir Björnsson discovered that OpenVPN incorrectly handled certain control channel messages with nonprintable characters. A remote attacker could possibly use this issue to cause OpenVPN to consume resources, or fill up log files with garbage, leading to a denial of service. (CVE-2024-5594)
- Record
USN-7340-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openvpnTuxCare:Ubuntu:16.04 |
before 2.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+tuxcare.els2 | 2.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+tuxcare.els2 |
openvpnDebian:12 |
before 2.4.4-1 | 2.4.4-1 |
openvpnDebian:13 |
before 2.4.4-1 | 2.4.4-1 |
openvpnDebian:14 |
before 2.4.4-1 | 2.4.4-1 |
openvpnDebian:9 |
before 2.4.0-6+deb9u4, plus listed versions 2.4.0-62.4.0-6+deb9u12.4.0-6+deb9u1~bpo8+12.4.0-6+deb9u22.4.0-6+deb9u3 |
2.4.0-6+deb9u4 |
openvpnMageia:5 |
before 2.3.18-1.mga5 | 2.3.18-1.mga5 |
openvpnMageia:6 |
before 2.4.4-1.mga6 | 2.4.4-1.mga6 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 |
before 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 | 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP3-LTSS |
before 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 | 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP3-TERADATA |
before 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 | 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 |
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| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 |
before 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 | 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 11 SP4 |
before 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 | 2.0.9-143.47.3.1 |
openvpnSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 6 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP2 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for Raspberry Pi 12 SP2 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP1 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12-LTSS |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP1-LTSS |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP2 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpnSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP3 |
before 2.3.8-16.20.1 | 2.3.8-16.20.1 |
openvpn-openssl1SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11-SECURITY |
before 2.3.2-0.10.3.1 | 2.3.2-0.10.3.1 |
openvpnUbuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS |
before 2.3.2-7ubuntu3.2+esm2, plus listed versions 2.3.2-4ubuntu12.3.2-5ubuntu12.3.2-7ubuntu12.3.2-7ubuntu22.3.2-7ubuntu32.3.2-7ubuntu3.12.3.2-7ubuntu3.22.3.2-7ubuntu3.2+esm1 |
2.3.2-7ubuntu3.2+esm2 |
openvpnUbuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS |
before 2.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+esm2, plus listed versions 2.3.7-1ubuntu12.3.7-2ubuntu12.3.8-1ubuntu12.3.10-1ubuntu12.3.10-1ubuntu22.3.10-1ubuntu2.12.3.10-1ubuntu2.22.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+esm1 |
2.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+esm2 |
openvpnUbuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS |
before 2.4.4-2ubuntu1.7+esm1, plus listed versions 2.4.3-4ubuntu12.4.4-1ubuntu12.4.4-2ubuntu12.4.4-2ubuntu1.12.4.4-2ubuntu1.2 Show 4 moreShow less2.4.4-2ubuntu1.32.4.4-2ubuntu1.52.4.4-2ubuntu1.62.4.4-2ubuntu1.7 |
2.4.4-2ubuntu1.7+esm1 |
openvpnopenSUSE:Tumbleweed |
before 2.5.3-1.2 | 2.5.3-1.2 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 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-2017-12166 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Openvpn, published October 3, 2017. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 3.63%, the 89th percentile. Fixed in openvpn 2.3.10-1ubuntu2.2+tuxcare.els2.
References
community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/CVE-2017-12166
securityfocus.com/bid/101153
securitytracker.com/id/1039470
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/05/msg00002.html
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12166
github.com/advisories/GHSA-vffw-rxx6-r4pj
Show 32 moreShow less
errata.cloudlinux.com/ubuntu16-els/CLSA-2025-1742577500.html
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-12166
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2017-0372.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=21780
community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/ChangesInOpenvpn23
community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/ChangesInOpenvpn24
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2017/suse-su-20172838-1
bugzilla.suse.com/1038709
bugzilla.suse.com/1038711
bugzilla.suse.com/1038713
bugzilla.suse.com/1060877
bugzilla.suse.com/995374
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2016-6329
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12166
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7478
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7479
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2017/suse-su-20172839-1
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2017/suse-su-20173177-1
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-12166
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/09/28/2
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12166
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7340-1
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2024-5594
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2005-3393
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2005-3409
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2006-1629
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2006-4339
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7521
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-7522
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-9336
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-11810
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-15078