CVE-2017-6462: Buffer Overflow

Published Mar 20, 2017
·
Updated

Buffer overflow in the legacy Datum Programmable Time Server (DPTS) refclock driver in NTP before 4.2.8p10 and 4.3.x before 4.3.94 allows local users to have unspecified impact via a crafted /dev/datum device.

Other sources

ntp. Multiple issues were addressed by updating to version 4.2.8p10

There is a potential for a buffer overflow in the legacy Datum Programmable Time Server refclock driver. Here the packets are processed from the /dev/datum device and handled in datumptsreceive(). Since an attacker would be required to somehow control a malicious /dev/datum device, this does not appear to be a practical attack and renders this issue "Low" in terms of severity.

Affects: All versions of NTP, up to but not including ntp-4.2.8p10, and ntp-4.3.0 up to, but not including ntp-4.3.94.

Mitigation:

Properly monitor your ntpd instances, and auto-restart ntpd (without -g) if it stops running.

Red Hat

Credit

Cure53, Matthew Van Gundy(Cisco)

Affected Software

99 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/ntp<4.2.8
4.2.8
redhat/ntp<4.3.94
4.3.94
debian/ntp
1:4.2.8p15+dfsg-1
Apple macOS High Sierra<10.13
10.13
NTP ntp=4.2.8-p9
NTP ntp=4.3.0
NTP ntp=4.3.1
NTP ntp=4.3.2
NTP ntp=4.3.3
NTP ntp=4.3.4
NTP ntp=4.3.5
NTP ntp=4.3.6
NTP ntp=4.3.7
NTP ntp=4.3.8
NTP ntp=4.3.9
NTP ntp=4.3.10
NTP ntp=4.3.11
NTP ntp=4.3.12
NTP ntp=4.3.13
NTP ntp=4.3.14
NTP ntp=4.3.15
NTP ntp=4.3.16
NTP ntp=4.3.17
NTP ntp=4.3.18
NTP ntp=4.3.19
NTP ntp=4.3.20
NTP ntp=4.3.21
NTP ntp=4.3.22
NTP ntp=4.3.23
NTP ntp=4.3.24
NTP ntp=4.3.25
NTP ntp=4.3.26
NTP ntp=4.3.27
NTP ntp=4.3.28
NTP ntp=4.3.29
NTP ntp=4.3.30
NTP ntp=4.3.31
NTP ntp=4.3.32
NTP ntp=4.3.33
NTP ntp=4.3.34
NTP ntp=4.3.35
NTP ntp=4.3.36
NTP ntp=4.3.37
NTP ntp=4.3.38
NTP ntp=4.3.39
NTP ntp=4.3.40
NTP ntp=4.3.41
NTP ntp=4.3.42
NTP ntp=4.3.43
NTP ntp=4.3.44
NTP ntp=4.3.45
NTP ntp=4.3.46
NTP ntp=4.3.47
NTP ntp=4.3.48
NTP ntp=4.3.49
NTP ntp=4.3.50
NTP ntp=4.3.51
NTP ntp=4.3.52
NTP ntp=4.3.53
NTP ntp=4.3.54
NTP ntp=4.3.55
NTP ntp=4.3.56
NTP ntp=4.3.57
NTP ntp=4.3.58
NTP ntp=4.3.59
NTP ntp=4.3.60
NTP ntp=4.3.61
NTP ntp=4.3.62
NTP ntp=4.3.63
NTP ntp=4.3.64
NTP ntp=4.3.65
NTP ntp=4.3.66
NTP ntp=4.3.67
NTP ntp=4.3.68
NTP ntp=4.3.69
NTP ntp=4.3.70
NTP ntp=4.3.71
NTP ntp=4.3.72
NTP ntp=4.3.73
NTP ntp=4.3.74
NTP ntp=4.3.75
NTP ntp=4.3.76
NTP ntp=4.3.77
NTP ntp=4.3.78
NTP ntp=4.3.79
NTP ntp=4.3.80
NTP ntp=4.3.81
NTP ntp=4.3.82
NTP ntp=4.3.83
NTP ntp=4.3.84
NTP ntp=4.3.85
NTP ntp=4.3.86
NTP ntp=4.3.87
NTP ntp=4.3.88
NTP ntp=4.3.89
NTP ntp=4.3.90
NTP ntp=4.3.91
NTP ntp=4.3.92
NTP ntp=4.3.93

Event History

Mar 27, 2017
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:59 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Feb 19, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·06:26 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·06:26 PM
Description

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2017-6462?

CVE-2017-6462 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability due to the potential for local impact via a crafted /dev/datum device.

2

How do I fix CVE-2017-6462?

To fix CVE-2017-6462, update NTP to version 4.2.8p10 or 4.3.94 or newer.

3

Who is affected by CVE-2017-6462?

CVE-2017-6462 affects NTP versions prior to 4.2.8p10 and NTP 4.3.x before 4.3.94.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2017-6462?

CVE-2017-6462 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the legacy Datum Programmable Time Server (DPTS) refclock driver.

5

Can CVE-2017-6462 be exploited remotely?

CVE-2017-6462 cannot be exploited remotely, as it requires local user access to trigger the vulnerability.

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