How severe is CVE-2017-6969?

CVE-2017-6969 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-6969 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-6969?

CVE-2017-6969 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6969?

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

When was CVE-2017-6969 published?

CVE-2017-6969 was published on 2017-03-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-6969

CVE-2017-6969 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Gnu Binutils with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.1)
CVSS v2: 6.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-125
Affected product: Gnu Binutils
Published: 2017-03-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

readelf in GNU Binutils 2.28 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer over-read while processing corrupt RL78 binaries. The vulnerability can trigger program crashes. It may lead to an information leak as well.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-6969?: readelf in GNU Binutils 2.28 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer over-read while processing corrupt RL78 binaries. The vulnerability can trigger program crashes. It may lead to an information leak as well.
How severe is CVE-2017-6969?: CVE-2017-6969 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-6969 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6969?: CVE-2017-6969 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6969?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-6969 published?: CVE-2017-6969 was published on 2017-03-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:gnu:binutils:2.28:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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