# CVE-2017-10661: Race condition in n/a

> Local attackers can exploit a race condition in the Linux kernel timerfd subsystem to escalate privileges or cause a denial of service via simultaneous file-descriptor operations.

- **Severity:** High 7.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Aug 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-10661, GHSA-gg87-xrj2-3r8m, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-10661

## What is CVE-2017-10661?

CVE-2017-10661 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 19 Aug 2017. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Race condition in fs/timerfd.c in the Linux kernel before 4.10.15 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (list corruption or use-after-free) via simultaneous file-descriptor operations that leverage improper might_cancel queueing.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-10661?

It affects 6 products.


Products: Debian Debian Linux, Linux kernel, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux Aus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server for Power Little Endian Update Services for Sap Solutions.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-10661?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2017-10661 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-10661 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

- poc for cve-2017-10661 (github_poc): https://github.com/GeneBlue/CVE-2017-10661_POC
- Linux kernel < 4.10.15 - Race Condition Privilege Escalation (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-10661 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-10661 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 19 Aug 2017. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-10661 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-10661/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-10661/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-10661
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-10661
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-10661

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-10661/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.