---
title: "CVE-2017-5940\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5940?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2017-5940

Publication date 9 February 2017

Last updated 17 July 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**8.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-5940?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

Firejail before 0.9.44.6 and 0.9.38.x LTS before 0.9.38.10 LTS does not
comprehensively address dotfile cases during its attempt to prevent
accessing user files with an euid of zero, which allows local users to
conduct sandbox-escape attacks via vectors involving a symlink and the
--private option. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete
fix for CVE-2017-5180.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| firejail | 17.04 zesty | Not affected |
| 16.10 yakkety | Ignored end of life |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not affected |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

8.8 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | Low |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Changed |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 8.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-5940)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5940)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2017-5940)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-5940)

### Other references

* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/blob/0.9.44.6/RELNOTES>
* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/commit/38d418505e9ee2d326557e5639e8da49c298858f (0.9.44.6)>
* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/commit/b8a4ff9775318ca5e679183884a6a63f3da8f863 (0.9.44.6)>
* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/29/4>
* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/31/16>
* <https://firejail.wordpress.com/download-2/release-notes/>
* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/commit/38d418505e9ee2d326557e5639e8da49c298858f>
* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/commit/903fd8a0789ca3cc3c21d84cd0282481515592ef>
* <https://github.com/netblue30/firejail/commit/b8a4ff9775318ca5e679183884a6a63f3da8f863>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-5940>