CVE-2016-6187

Name: CVE-2016-6187
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-08-06T20:59:10.8+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 2.40%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6187 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The apparmor_setprocattr function in security/apparmor/lsm.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.5 does not validate the buffer size, which allows local users to gain privileges by triggering an AppArmor setprocattr hook.. EPSS estimates a 2.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The apparmor_setprocattr function in security/apparmor/lsm.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.5 does not validate the buffer size, which allows local users to gain privileges by triggering an AppArmor setprocattr hook.

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

2.40%

81.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.6.5

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=30a46a4647fd1df9cf52e43bf467f0d9265096caIssue Tracking, Patch
http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=146793642811929&w=2Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.5Release Notes
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/09/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91696Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1354383Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/30a46a4647fd1df9cf52e43bf467f0d9265096caIssue Tracking, Patch
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=30a46a4647fd1df9cf52e43bf467f0d9265096caIssue Tracking, Patch
http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=146793642811929&w=2Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.5Release Notes
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/09/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91696Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1354383Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/30a46a4647fd1df9cf52e43bf467f0d9265096caIssue Tracking, Patch

Timeline

Published: Aug 6, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6187?

How severe is CVE-2016-6187?

CVE-2016-6187 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6187?

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-2016-6187?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST