CVE-2017-17805

High

The Salsa20 encryption algorithm in the Linux kernel before 4.14.8 does not correctly handle zero-length inputs, allowing a local attacker able to use the AF_ALG-based skcipher interface (CONFIG_CRYPTO_USER_API_SKCIPHER) to cause a denial of service (uninitialized-memory free and kernel crash) or have unspecified other impact by executing a crafted sequence of system calls that use the blkcipher_walk API. Both the generic implementation (crypto/salsa20_generic.c) and x86 implementation (arch/x86/crypto/salsa20_glue.c) of Salsa20 were vulnerable.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2017-12-20
Last modified 2026-05-13
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Awaiting data

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-20

CVE-2017-17805 is a Improper Input Validation vulnerability

What is Improper Input Validation?

The product receives input but does not validate it correctly, allowing attackers to craft inputs that cause unexpected behavior. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2017-17805 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2017-17805?

    CVE-2017-17805 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Improper Input Validation flaw (CWE-20) . CVE-2017-17805 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2017-17805?

    CVE-2017-17805 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2017-17805?

    No patch is currently available for CVE-2017-17805. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

  • Is CVE-2017-17805 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2017-17805 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Improper Input Validation (CWE-20)?

    The product receives input but does not validate it correctly, allowing attackers to craft inputs that cause unexpected behavior. View CWE-20 on MITRE CWE →

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