CVE-2016-6786

Name: CVE-2016-6786
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-28T07:59:00.213+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6786 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. kernel/events/core.c in the performance subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.0 mismanages locks during certain migrations, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 30955111.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

kernel/events/core.c in the performance subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.0 mismanages locks during certain migrations, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 30955111.

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

0.42%

33.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-264

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 3.2.85
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.16.40
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.54
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.0

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=f63a8daa5812afef4f06c962351687e1ff9ccb2bPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-12-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3791Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94679Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1403842Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f63a8daa5812afef4f06c962351687e1ff9ccb2bPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=f63a8daa5812afef4f06c962351687e1ff9ccb2bPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-12-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3791Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94679Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1403842Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f63a8daa5812afef4f06c962351687e1ff9ccb2bPatch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 28, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6786?

How severe is CVE-2016-6786?

CVE-2016-6786 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6786?

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-2016-6786?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST