CVE-2016-2338

Name: CVE-2016-2338
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-09-29T03:15:11.47+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 4.64%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-2338 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. An exploitable heap overflow vulnerability exists in the Psych::Emitter start_document function of Ruby. In Psych::Emitter start_document function heap buffer "head" allocation is made based on tags array length. EPSS estimates a 4.64% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An exploitable heap overflow vulnerability exists in the Psych::Emitter start_document function of Ruby. In Psych::Emitter start_document function heap buffer "head" allocation is made based on tags array length. Specially constructed object passed as element of tags array can increase this array size after mentioned allocation and cause heap overflow.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

4.64%

90.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Ruby-Lang	Ruby	2.2.2
Ruby-Lang	Ruby	2.3.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0

References

http://www.talosintelligence.com/reports/TALOS-2016-0032/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00032.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221228-0005/Third Party Advisory
http://www.talosintelligence.com/reports/TALOS-2016-0032/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00032.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221228-0005/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 29, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-2338?

How severe is CVE-2016-2338?

CVE-2016-2338 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.64% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2338?

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-2016-2338?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST