CVE-2016-4558

Name: CVE-2016-4558
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-05-23T10:59:04.783+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 0.86%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-4558 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. The BPF subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 mishandles reference counts, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application on (1) a system with more than 32 Gb of memory, related to the program reference count or (2) a 1 Tb system, related to the map reference count.. EPSS estimates a 0.86% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The BPF subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 mishandles reference counts, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application on (1) a system with more than 32 Gb of memory, related to the program reference count or (2) a 1 Tb system, related to the map reference count.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.86%

53.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.4, < 4.4.11
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.5.5
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=92117d8443bc5afacc8d5ba82e541946310f106eVendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.5Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/05/06/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3005-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3006-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3007-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1334303Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/92117d8443bc5afacc8d5ba82e541946310f106eVendor Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=92117d8443bc5afacc8d5ba82e541946310f106eVendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.5Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/05/06/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3005-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3006-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3007-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1334303Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/92117d8443bc5afacc8d5ba82e541946310f106eVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 23, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-4558?

How severe is CVE-2016-4558?

CVE-2016-4558 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.86% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-4558?

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-2016-4558?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST