How severe is CVE-2017-9042?

CVE-2017-9042 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-2017-9042 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (79th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-9042?

CVE-2017-9042 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-9042?

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-2017-9042 published?

CVE-2017-9042 was published on 2017-05-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-9042

CVE-2017-9042 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-704.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (79th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-704
Affected product: Gnu Binutils
Published: 2017-05-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

readelf.c in GNU Binutils 2017-04-12 has a "cannot be represented in type long" issue, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-9042?: readelf.c in GNU Binutils 2017-04-12 has a "cannot be represented in type long" issue, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ELF file.
How severe is CVE-2017-9042?: CVE-2017-9042 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-2017-9042 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (79th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-9042?: CVE-2017-9042 affects Gnu Binutils. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-9042?: 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-2017-9042 published?: CVE-2017-9042 was published on 2017-05-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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

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