CVE-2016-10243

Name: CVE-2016-10243
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-05-02T14:59:00.283+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 7.15%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-10243 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. TeX Live allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by leveraging inclusion of mpost in shell_escape_commands in the texmf.cnf config file.. EPSS estimates a 7.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

TeX Live allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by leveraging inclusion of mpost in shell_escape_commands in the texmf.cnf config file.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

7.15%

93.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-20

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Debian	Debian Linux	7.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Fedoraproject	Fedora	25
Fedoraproject	Fedora	26
Tug	Tex Live	All versions

References

http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3803Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/05/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96593Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/B7CNJ4HKX7X6V7VMN3UCU7KPY6IX4XRB/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VL6PUKPWEXYIPIAZRIX5ZLQWCSALVLFP/
https://scumjr.github.io/2016/11/28/pwning-coworkers-thanks-to-latex/Exploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201709-07
https://www.tug.org/svn/texlive?view=revision&revision=42605Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3803Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/05/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96593Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/B7CNJ4HKX7X6V7VMN3UCU7KPY6IX4XRB/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VL6PUKPWEXYIPIAZRIX5ZLQWCSALVLFP/
https://scumjr.github.io/2016/11/28/pwning-coworkers-thanks-to-latex/Exploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201709-07
https://www.tug.org/svn/texlive?view=revision&revision=42605Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 2, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-10243?

TeX Live allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by leveraging inclusion of mpost in shell_escape_commands in the texmf.cnf config file.

How severe is CVE-2016-10243?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-10243 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 7.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-10243?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-10243?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST