CVE-2017-5972Linux Kernel Denial of Service
The TCP stack in the Linux kernel 3.x does not properly implement a SYN cookie protection mechanism for the case of a fast network connection, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) by sending many TCP SYN packets, as demonstrated by an…
Published Feb 14, 2017 · Updated Aug 18, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2017-5972, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-5972
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2017-5972 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Linux Kernel, linux (debian), rootio-linux and 9 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 24% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including linux 4.4.2-1, Linux Kernel 3.19.8, rootio-linux 4.4.2-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
24%
Higher than 97.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
44/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
2
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2017-5972
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-5972
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5972
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-5972
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1422081
- advisoryhttp://seclists.org/oss-sec/2017/q1/573
Description
The TCP stack in the Linux kernel 3.x does not properly implement a SYN cookie protection mechanism for the case of a fast network connection, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) by sending many TCP SYN packets, as demonstrated by an attack against the kernel-3.10.0 package in CentOS Linux 7.
NOTE: third parties have been unable to discern any relationship between the GitHub Engineering finding and the Trigemini.c attack code.
Affected Products
26 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Linux KernelLinux | See advisory | 3.19.8 |
| linuxdebian | See advisory | 4.4.2-1 |
| rootio-linuxrootio | See advisory | 4.4.2-1 |
| linux-azure-fdeubuntu | See advisory | n/a |
| linux-gkeubuntu | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
linux
4.4.2-1
Linux Kernel
3.19.8
rootio-linux
4.4.2-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Feb 14, 2017
Last updated
Aug 18, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
References
- advisoryaccess.redhat.com · CVE-2017-5972
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2017-5972
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2017-5972
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
- advisorybugzilla.redhat.com · show_bug.cgi
FAQ
Common Questions.
The TCP stack in the Linux kernel 3.x does not properly implement a SYN cookie protection mechanism for the case of a fast network connection, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) by sending many TCP SYN packets, as demonstrated by an attack against the kernel-3.10.0 package in…
Affected: Linux Kernel; linux (debian); rootio-linux, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including linux 4.4.2-1, Linux Kernel 3.19.8, rootio-linux 4.4.2-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
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