X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4 MIT-SCREEN-SAVER Extension error condition

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component MIT-SCREEN-SAVER Extension. The manipulation leads to input validation. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2017-12185. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in X.org X11 Server up to 1.19.4 (Windowing System Software). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component MIT-SCREEN-SAVER Extension. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
xorg-x11-server before 1.19.5 was missing length validation in MIT-SCREEN-SAVER extension 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 released 01/24/2018 as Bug 1509215 as not defined bug report (Bugzilla). It is possible to read the advisory at bugzilla.redhat.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2017-12185 since 08/01/2017. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly 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). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-112382, VDB-112383, VDB-112384 and VDB-112385. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.x.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9VulDB 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: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Error conditionCWE: CWE-391
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍
Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: X11 Server 1.19.5
Patch: cgit.freedesktop.org
Timeline
08/01/2017 🔍10/12/2017 🔍
11/22/2017 🔍
11/27/2017 🔍
01/24/2018 🔍
01/24/2018 🔍
01/25/2018 🔍
08/29/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: x.orgAdvisory: Bug 1509215
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
CVE: CVE-2017-12185 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2017-12185
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-112391
OVAL: 🔍
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 01/25/2018 08:14Updated: 08/29/2025 16:56
Changes: 01/25/2018 08:14 (77), 12/27/2019 11:03 (3), 02/02/2023 14:34 (4), 08/29/2025 16:56 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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