How severe is CVE-2017-12454?

CVE-2017-12454 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-12454 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-12454?

CVE-2017-12454 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-12454?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-12454 published?

CVE-2017-12454 was published on 2017-08-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-12454

CVE-2017-12454 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnu Binutils with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-125.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-125
Affected product: Gnu Binutils
Published: 2017-08-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The _bfd_vms_slurp_egsd function in bfd/vms-alpha.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause an arbitrary memory read via a crafted vms alpha file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-12454?: The _bfd_vms_slurp_egsd function in bfd/vms-alpha.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause an arbitrary memory read via a crafted vms alpha file.
How severe is CVE-2017-12454?: CVE-2017-12454 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-12454 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-12454?: CVE-2017-12454 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-12454?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-12454 published?: CVE-2017-12454 was published on 2017-08-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=21813

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:gnu:binutils:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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