CVE-2017-10661

HIGH

Linux Kernel < 4.10.15 - Use-After-Free via Timerfd Race Condition

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2017-10661. PoCs published by anonymous, GeneBlue.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC exploits a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel 4.10 by racing timerfd_settime operations to trigger a UAF condition, detectable with KASan. It uses multithreading to manipulate timer contexts and induce a race condition.

Description

Race condition in fs/timerfd.c in the Linux kernel before 4.10.15 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (list corruption or use-after-free) via simultaneous file-descriptor operations that leverage improper might_cancel queueing.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by anonymous · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43345

This PoC exploits a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel 4.10 by racing timerfd_settime operations to trigger a UAF condition, detectable with KASan. It uses multithreading to manipulate timer contexts and induce a race condition.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: Linux kernel 4.10
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Kernel 4.10 with KASan enabled · Ability to execute code on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 11 stars
by GeneBlue · poc
https://github.com/GeneBlue/CVE-2017-10661_POC

This PoC exploits a race condition in the Linux kernel's timerfd subsystem (CVE-2017-10661) by creating multiple threads that manipulate timerfd settings concurrently, leading to a use-after-free vulnerability. The code demonstrates the exploit by triggering the race condition through repeated timerfd operations.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Racy
Target: Linux kernel (versions affected by CVE-2017-10661)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable Linux kernel · Ability to compile and run native code on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (13)

Core 13
Core References
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3083
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100215
Issue Tracking x_refsource_confirm
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1481136
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.10.15
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3981
Patch, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-08-01
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43345/
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3096
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:4058
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:4057
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0036

Scores

CVSS v3 7.0
EPSS 0.2570
EPSS Percentile 96.4%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-416
Status published
Products (7)
debian/debian_linux 8.0
debian/debian_linux 9.0
linux/linux_kernel < 3.2.92
redhat/enterprise_linux 7.0
redhat/enterprise_linux_aus 7.4
redhat/enterprise_linux_server_eus 7.5
redhat/enterprise_linux_server_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions 7.4
Published Aug 19, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026