How severe is CVE-2017-7980?

CVE-2017-7980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-7980 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-7980?

CVE-2017-7980 primarily affects Qemu. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-7980?

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-2017-7980 published?

CVE-2017-7980 was published on 2017-07-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-7980

CVE-2017-7980 is a high-severity vulnerability in Qemu 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: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Qemu
Published: 2017-07-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Cirrus CLGD 54xx VGA Emulator in Quick Emulator (Qemu) 2.8 and earlier allows local guest OS users to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (crash) via vectors related to a VNC client updating its display after a VGA operation.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-7980?: Heap-based buffer overflow in Cirrus CLGD 54xx VGA Emulator in Quick Emulator (Qemu) 2.8 and earlier allows local guest OS users to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (crash) via vectors related to a VNC client updating its display after a VGA operation.
How severe is CVE-2017-7980?: CVE-2017-7980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-7980 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-7980?: CVE-2017-7980 primarily affects Qemu. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-7980?: 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-2017-7980 published?: CVE-2017-7980 was published on 2017-07-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (28)

cpe:2.3:a:qemu:qemu:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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