CVE-2016-6318

Name: CVE-2016-6318
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-09-07T19:28:12.457+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.75%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6318 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Stack-based buffer overflow in the FascistGecosUser function in lib/fascist.c in cracklib allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) or gain privileges via a long GECOS field, involving longbuffer.. EPSS estimates a 0.75% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the FascistGecosUser function in lib/fascist.c in cracklib allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) or gain privileges via a long GECOS field, involving longbuffer.

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

0.75%

50.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cracklib Project	Cracklib	>= 2.9.0, < 2.9.6
Opensuse	Leap	42.1
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0

References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-08/msg00122.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/16/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92478Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/05/msg00023.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-25Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-08/msg00122.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/16/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92478Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/05/msg00023.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-25Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6318?

How severe is CVE-2016-6318?

CVE-2016-6318 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.75% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6318?

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-2016-6318?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST