X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4 ProcXIChangeHierarchy error condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4. It has been declared as critical. This affects the function ProcXIChangeHierarchy. Executing a manipulation can lead to input validation. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2017-12178. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4 (Windowing System Software). This vulnerability affects the function ProcXIChangeHierarchy. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-391. [PLANNED FOR DEPRECATION. SEE MAINTENANCE NOTES AND CONSIDER CWE-252, CWE-248, OR CWE-1069.] Ignoring exceptions and other error conditions may allow an attacker to induce unexpected behavior unnoticed. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

xorg-x11-server before 1.19.5 had wrong extra length check in ProcXIChangeHierarchy function allowing malicious X client to cause X server to crash or possibly execute arbitrary code.

The bug was discovered 10/12/2017. The weakness was shared 01/24/2018 as Bug 1509219 as not defined bug report (Bugzilla). The advisory is shared for download at bugzilla.redhat.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2017-12178 since 08/01/2017. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 41 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 104745 (Debian DLA-1186-1 : xorg-server security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 196948 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Xorg-server, Xorg-server-hwe-16.04, Xorg-server-lts-xenial Vulnerabilities (USN-3456-1)).

Upgrading to version 1.19.5 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (104745). The entries VDB-112382, VDB-112383, VDB-112385 and VDB-112386 are related to this item. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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CPE 2.3info

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 9.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Error condition
CWE: CWE-391
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 104745
Nessus Name: Debian DLA-1186-1 : xorg-server security update
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53379
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 4000-1 (xorg-server - security update)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
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Qualys ID: 🔍
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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: X11 Server 1.19.5
Patch: cgit.freedesktop.org

Timelineinfo

08/01/2017 🔍
10/12/2017 +72 days 🔍
11/22/2017 +41 days 🔍
11/27/2017 +5 days 🔍
01/24/2018 +58 days 🔍
01/24/2018 +0 days 🔍
01/25/2018 +1 days 🔍
08/29/2025 +2773 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: x.org

Advisory: Bug 1509219
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2017-12178 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-12178
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-112384

OVAL: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 01/25/2018 08:12
Updated: 08/29/2025 16:04
Changes: 01/25/2018 08:12 (77), 12/27/2019 10:25 (3), 02/02/2023 14:17 (4), 08/29/2025 16:04 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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