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CVE-2016-7117: Linux Kernel: Use after free

CVE-2016-7117 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Linux Kernel, along with 2 other products in NVD’s configuration data. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

Use-after-free vulnerability in the __sys_recvmmsg function in net/socket.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a recvmmsg system call that is mishandled during error processing.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Affected products

  • Linux Kernel: from 2.6.33 before 3.2.80; from 3.3 before 3.4.113; from 3.5 before 3.10.102; from 3.11 before 3.12.59; from 3.13 before 3.14.67; from 3.15 before 3.16.35; from 3.17 before 3.18.37; from 3.19 before 4.1.28; from 4.2.0 before 4.4.8; from 4.5.0 before 4.5.2
  • Debian Linux: 7.0
  • Canonical Ubuntu Linux: 16.04

References