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Vulnerability record · CVE-2017-16611 · published 1 December 2017

CVE-2017-16611: Debian linux link following vulnerability

Debian · Debian Linux

In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not read) files on the system as root, triggering tape rewinds, watchdogs, or similar mechanisms that can be triggered by opening files.

5.5 CVSS 3.1 Medium EPSS 0.42% · top 65.8% CWE-59 · Link following
5.5CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 4.9
0.42%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
16References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

In libXfont before 1.5.4 and libXfont2 before 2.0.3, a local attacker can open (but not read) files on the system as root, triggering tape rewinds, watchdogs, or similar mechanisms that can be triggered by opening files.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://security.cucumberlinux.com/security/details.php?id=155 Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/28/7 Mailing ListPatchThird Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3500-1 Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1050459 Issue TrackingTool SignatureVDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/01/msg00028.html Issue TrackingMailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188044218304&w=2 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188049718337&w=2 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-10 Third Party Advisory
http://security.cucumberlinux.com/security/details.php?id=155 Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/11/28/7 Mailing ListPatchThird Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3500-1 Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1050459 Issue TrackingTool SignatureVDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/01/msg00028.html Issue TrackingMailing ListThird Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188044218304&w=2 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://marc.info/?l=freedesktop-xorg-announce&m=151188049718337&w=2 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-10 Third Party Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2017-16611), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-10-07). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.