CVE-2017-7472

MEDIUM

Linux kernel < 4.10.13 - Denial of Service via KEY_REQKEY_DEFL_THREAD_KEYRING Keyctl Calls

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2017-7472. PoCs published by Marcus Meissner, homjxi0e.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit triggers a memory leak in the Linux kernel by repeatedly calling keyctl_set_reqkey_keyring, causing the system to run out of memory. It leverages a vulnerability in the key management subsystem.

Description

The KEYS subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.10.13 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a series of KEY_REQKEY_DEFL_THREAD_KEYRING keyctl_set_reqkey_keyring calls.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Marcus Meissner · cdoslinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42136

This exploit triggers a memory leak in the Linux kernel by repeatedly calling keyctl_set_reqkey_keyring, causing the system to run out of memory. It leverages a vulnerability in the key management subsystem.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux kernel (versions affected by CVE-2017-7472)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable Linux system · Ability to execute compiled binaries
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by homjxi0e · poc
https://github.com/homjxi0e/CVE-2017-7472

This PoC exploits a memory consumption vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KEYS subsystem by repeatedly calling keyctl_set_reqkey_keyring, leading to a denial of service (DoS). The code is a minimal reproducer that triggers the vulnerability by exhausting kernel memory.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux kernel before 4.10.13
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the vulnerable system · GCC and keyutils library for compilation
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (15)

Core 15
Core References
Broken Link x_refsource_confirm
https://lkml.org/lkml/2017/4/3/724
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0181
Issue Tracking, Patch x_refsource_confirm
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1442086
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.10.13
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0152
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98422
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038471
Issue Tracking, Patch x_refsource_confirm
https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1034862
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42136/
Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/05/11/1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:0151
Broken Link x_refsource_confirm
https://lkml.org/lkml/2017/4/1/235

Scores

CVSS v3 5.5
EPSS 0.0050
EPSS Percentile 66.6%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-404
Status published
Products (2)
linux/linux_kernel < 4.10.12
n/a/Linux kernel before 4.10.13 Linux kernel before 4.10.13
Published May 11, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026