CVE-2017-16879
CVE-2017-16879 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnu Ncurses 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-787.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (82nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Gnu Ncurses
- Published:
- Last modified:
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is 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 service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic.
- How severe is CVE-2017-16879?
- CVE-2017-16879 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-2017-16879 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2017-16879?
- CVE-2017-16879 affects Gnu Ncurses. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-16879?
- 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-2017-16879 published?
- CVE-2017-16879 was published on 2017-11-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/145045/GNU-ncurses-6.0-tic-Denial-Of-Service.html
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201804-13
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewAlert.x?alertId=57695
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ncurses:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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