CVE-2017-8311

CVE-2017-8311 is a high-severity vulnerability in Videolan Vlc Media Player 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: 9% (95th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Videolan Vlc Media Player
• Published: 2017-05-23
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Potential heap based buffer overflow in ParseJSS in VideoLAN VLC before 2.2.5 due to skipping NULL terminator in an input string allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted subtitles file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-8311?

Potential heap based buffer overflow in ParseJSS in VideoLAN VLC before 2.2.5 due to skipping NULL terminator in an input string allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted subtitles file.

How severe is CVE-2017-8311?

CVE-2017-8311 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-2017-8311 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-8311?

CVE-2017-8311 affects Videolan Vlc Media Player. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-8311?

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-2017-8311 published?

CVE-2017-8311 was published on 2017-05-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://git.videolan.org/?p=vlc.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=775de716add17322f24b476439f903a829446eb6
• http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3899
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98634
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201707-10
• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44514/

Affected products (1)

• cpe:2.3:a:videolan:vlc_media_player:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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• CVE-2016-5108 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Buffer overflow in the DecodeAdpcmImaQT function in modules/codec/adpcm.c in VideoLAN VLC media player before 2.2.4…

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Browse all CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities →