How severe is CVE-2017-16827?

CVE-2017-16827 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-2017-16827 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-16827?

CVE-2017-16827 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16827?

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-2017-16827 published?

CVE-2017-16827 was published on 2017-11-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-16827

CVE-2017-16827 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Gnu Binutils
Published: 2017-11-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The aout_get_external_symbols function in aoutx.h in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (slurp_symtab invalid free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-16827?: The aout_get_external_symbols function in aoutx.h in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.29.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (slurp_symtab invalid free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.
How severe is CVE-2017-16827?: CVE-2017-16827 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-2017-16827 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-16827?: CVE-2017-16827 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-16827?: 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-2017-16827 published?: CVE-2017-16827 was published on 2017-11-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:gnu:binutils:2.29.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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