CVE-2016-6197

Name: CVE-2016-6197
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-08-06T20:59:12.067+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.49%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6197 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. fs/overlayfs/dir.c in the OverlayFS filesystem implementation in the Linux kernel before 4.6 does not properly verify the upper dentry before proceeding with unlink and rename system-call processing, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a rename system call that specifies a self-hardlink.. EPSS estimates a 0.49% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

fs/overlayfs/dir.c in the OverlayFS filesystem implementation in the Linux kernel before 4.6 does not properly verify the upper dentry before proceeding with unlink and rename system-call processing, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a rename system call that specifies a self-hardlink.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.49%

38.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-20

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Oracle	Linux	6
Linux	Linux Kernel	<= 4.5.7
Oracle	Vm Server	3.4

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=11f3710417d026ea2f4fcf362d866342c5274185Issue Tracking, Patch
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1847.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1875.html
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/11/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.htmlVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91709
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036273
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-2
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-3
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-4
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1355650Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/11f3710417d026ea2f4fcf362d866342c5274185Issue Tracking, Patch
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=11f3710417d026ea2f4fcf362d866342c5274185Issue Tracking, Patch
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1847.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1875.html
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/11/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.htmlVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91709
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036273
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-2
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-3
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3070-4
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1355650Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/11f3710417d026ea2f4fcf362d866342c5274185Issue Tracking, Patch

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6197?

How severe is CVE-2016-6197?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-6197 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.49% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6197?

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-2016-6197?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST