The Salsa20 encryption algorithm in the Linux kernel before 4.14.8 does not correctly handle zero-length inputs, allowing a local attacker a
The Salsa20 encryption algorithm in the Linux kernel before 4.14.8 does not correctly handle zero-length inputs, allowing a local attacker able to use the AF_ALG-based skcipher interface (CONFIG_CRYPTO_USER_API_SKCIPHER) to cause a denial of service (uninitialized-memory free and kernel crash) or have unspecified other impact by executing a crafted sequence of system calls that use the blkcipher_walk API. Both the generic implementation (crypto/salsa20_generic.c) and x86 implementation (arch/x86/crypto/salsa20_glue.c) of Salsa20 were vulnerable.
- Published
- Dec 20, 2017
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 0.4% · 36th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-20
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Report tools
Action score
31
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 31 / 40 · 7.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 0.4%
Affected systems
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux kernel | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
| opensuse | leap | cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap |
| opensuse project | leap | cpe:2.3:o:opensuse_project:leap |
| suse | linux enterprise desktop | cpe:2.3:o:suse:linux_enterprise_desktop |
| suse | linux enterprise server | cpe:2.3:o:suse:linux_enterprise_server |
| suse | linux enterprise server for raspberry pi | cpe:2.3:o:suse:linux_enterprise_server_for_raspberry_pi |
| canonical | ubuntu linux | cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- canonical ubuntu linux12.04
- canonical ubuntu linux14.04
- canonical ubuntu linux16.04
- canonical ubuntu linux17.10
- debian debian linux8.0
- debian debian linux9.0
- linux linux kernel4.10 and later · before 4.14.8
- linux linux kernel2.6.25 and later · before 3.2.97
- linux linux kernel3.3 and later · before 3.16.52
- linux linux kernel3.17 and later · before 3.18.89
- linux linux kernel3.19 and later · before 4.1.49
- linux linux kernel4.2 and later · before 4.4.107
- linux linux kernel4.5 and later · before 4.9.71
- opensuse leap42.2
- opensuse project leap42.3
- suse linux enterprise desktop12
- suse linux enterprise server11
- suse linux enterprise server12
- suse linux enterprise server for raspberry pi12
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | before 4.14.7-1 | 4.14.7-1 |
| Debian:7 | linux | before 3.2.96-3 | 3.2.96-3 |
| Debian:8 | linux | before 3.16.51-3+deb8u1 | 3.16.51-3+deb8u1 |
| Debian:9 | linux | before 4.9.65-3+deb9u1 | 4.9.65-3+deb9u1 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-abi-whitelists | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debug | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debug-debuginfo | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debug-devel | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debuginfo | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debuginfo-common-i686 | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-debuginfo-common-x86_64 | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-devel | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-doc | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | kernel-firmware | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | perf | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | perf-debuginfo | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | python-perf | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | python-perf-debuginfo | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | kernel-bootwrapper | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | kernel-debuginfo-common-ppc64 | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | kernel-debuginfo-common-s390x | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | kernel-kdump | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | kernel-kdump-debuginfo | before 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 | 0:2.6.32-754.18.2.el6 |
+96
Same product
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Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| debian:linux | 4.14.7-1 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-abi-whitelists | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-alt | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-bootwrapper | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-debuginfo | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debuginfo | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debuginfo-common-ppc64le | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-devel | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-doc | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-headers | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-tools | 0:4.14.0-115.el7a · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-bigmem | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-default | 4.4.103-6.38.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-docs | 4.4.103-6.38.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-ec2 | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-obs-build | 4.4.103-6.38.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-pae | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-ppc64 | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-source | 4.4.103-6.38.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-syms | 4.4.103-6.38.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-trace | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-xen | 3.0.101-108.21.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_7 | 1-4.5.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-20 · Improper Input ValidationCVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Buffer Overflow via Environment VariablesCAPEC-10likelihood: High · High
- Server Side Include (SSI) InjectionCAPEC-101likelihood: High · High
- Cross Zone ScriptingCAPEC-104likelihood: Medium · High
- Command Line Execution through SQL InjectionCAPEC-108likelihood: Low · Very High
- Object Relational Mapping InjectionCAPEC-109likelihood: Low · High
- SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter TamperingCAPEC-110likelihood: High · Very High
- Double EncodingCAPEC-120likelihood: Low · Medium
- Subverting Environment Variable ValuesCAPEC-13likelihood: High · Very High
ATT&CK techniques
- Obfuscated Files or InformationT1027
- Masquerading: Invalid Code SignatureT1036.001
- Steal Web Session CookieT1539
- Subvert Trust Controls: Code SigningT1553.002
- Impair Defenses:Impair Command History LoggingT1562.003
- Hijack Execution Flow:Dynamic Linker HijackingT1574.006
- Hijack Execution Flow:Path Interception by PATH Environment VariableT1574.007
Noroxi analysis
No Noroxi analysis for this record yet
We don't hand-write analysis for all 385,000+ vulnerabilities; that wouldn't be honest. For notable, high-impact vulnerabilities our team writes the mechanism, detection and remediation steps.
We use this product, ask for helpChange log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
- git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ecaaab5649781c5a0effdaf298a925063020500e
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00006.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00007.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00008.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00014.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-01/msg00016.html
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/102291
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2948
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3083
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3096
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2473
- github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/ecaaab5649781c5a0effdaf298a925063020500e
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/01/msg00004.html
- usn.ubuntu.com/3617-1/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3617-2/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3617-3/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3619-1/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3619-2/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3620-1/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3620-2/
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.