CVE-2016-5340

Name: CVE-2016-5340
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-08-07T21:59:08.757+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.30%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-5340 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The is_ashmem_file function in drivers/staging/android/ashmem.c in a certain Qualcomm Innovation Center (QuIC) Android patch for the Linux kernel 3.x mishandles pointer validation within the KGSL Linux Graphics Module, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by using the /ashmem string as the dentry name.. EPSS estimates a 0.30% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The is_ashmem_file function in drivers/staging/android/ashmem.c in a certain Qualcomm Innovation Center (QuIC) Android patch for the Linux kernel 3.x mishandles pointer validation within the KGSL Linux Graphics Module, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by using the /ashmem string as the dentry name.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.30%

21.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-20

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Google	Android	<= 7.0
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.0, <= 3.19.8

References

http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-10-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92374Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036763Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://source.codeaurora.org/quic/la/kernel/msm-3.10/commit/?id=06e51489061e5473b4e2035c79dcf7c27a6f75a6Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.codeaurora.org/invalid-path-check-ashmem-memory-file-cve-2016-5340Broken Link
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-10-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92374Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036763Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://source.codeaurora.org/quic/la/kernel/msm-3.10/commit/?id=06e51489061e5473b4e2035c79dcf7c27a6f75a6Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.codeaurora.org/invalid-path-check-ashmem-memory-file-cve-2016-5340Broken Link

Timeline

Published: Aug 7, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-5340?

How severe is CVE-2016-5340?

CVE-2016-5340 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.30% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5340?

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-2016-5340?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST