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CVE-2017-6308 Debian CVE debrief

CVE-2017-6308 is a memory-corruption issue in tnef versions before 1.4.13. According to NVD, several integer overflows in memory-allocation wrapper functions can lead to heap overflows, creating a high-risk exposure when processing untrusted TNEF content. The vulnerability was published on 2017-02-24 and is scored CVSS 7.8 (High).

Vendor
Debian
Product
CVE-2017-6308
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-24
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-24
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Administrators and developers who deploy or embed tnef, especially systems that process TNEF attachments or rely on packaged tnef builds in Linux distributions. Debian and other downstream maintainers should verify whether their shipped package versions include the fix.

Technical summary

NVD classifies the weakness as CWE-190 (Integer Overflow) and lists vulnerable tnef versions through 1.4.12. The issue is described as multiple integer overflows in allocation-wrapper code paths that can result in heap overflows. The CVSS v3.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates user interaction is required and the impact can be severe. Reference material includes an upstream patch commit, upstream change log, and downstream advisories.

Defensive priority

High. Memory-corruption bugs in content-parsing code can have serious confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, and this one is rated 7.8 High by CVSS.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Upgrade tnef to 1.4.13 or later, or apply the upstream fix if you maintain a downstream package.
  • Confirm that any distribution package you ship includes the patched version; Debian and Gentoo advisories are referenced in the record.
  • Treat TNEF data from untrusted sources as risky input and ensure affected workflows are updated before processing it.
  • Review downstream builds and backports for the upstream patch commit referenced by NVD.
  • Add inventory checks for systems that include tnef so vulnerable versions through 1.4.12 are identified quickly.

Evidence notes

The supplied NVD record states: vulnerable tnef versions end at 1.4.12, the issue is CWE-190, and the CVSS vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The record also links to an upstream patch commit, upstream ChangeLog, and vendor/downstream advisories, supporting the mitigation guidance. The Debian Linux 8.0 CPE is also listed in the vulnerable CPE data.

Official resources

Publicly disclosed in the CVE/NVD record on 2017-02-24. The NVD entry was later modified on 2026-05-13, but that modified date is record maintenance context, not the original disclosure date.