CVE-2017-12166 Memory corruption in n/a

Critical 9.8 Published 3 Oct 2017 Updated 5 Aug 2024

A buffer overflow in OpenVPN allows remote code execution when key-method 1 is enabled, requiring an upgrade to secure the server.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2017-12166?

CVE-2017-12166 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 3 Oct 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-787

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-12166?

It affects 2 products.

Linux distribution packages (12)

`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP2	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn-openssl1` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11-SECURITY	All versions	`2.3.2-0.10.3.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP1-LTSS	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12-LTSS	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for Raspberry Pi 12 SP2	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP1	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP2	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP3	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`
`openvpn` SUSE:OpenStack Cloud 6	All versions	`2.3.8-16.20.1`

Products include Debian Debian Linux, Openvpn Openvpn.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12166?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2017-12166 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-12166 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Debian Debian Linux vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as CLSA-2025-1742577500, DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12166, GHSA-vffw-rxx6-r4pj, MGASA-2017-0372, SUSE-SU-2017:2839-1, SUSE-SU-2017:3177-1 and 1 more.