CVE-2016-7420

Name: CVE-2016-7420
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-09-16T05:59:15.427+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 2.29%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-7420 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 5.6.4 does not document the requirement for a compile-time NDEBUG definition disabling the many assert calls that are unintended in production use, which might allow context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to process memory after an assertion failure, as demonstrated by reading a core dump.. EPSS estimates a 2.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 5.6.4 does not document the requirement for a compile-time NDEBUG definition disabling the many assert calls that are unintended in production use, which might allow context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to process memory after an assertion failure, as demonstrated by reading a core dump.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

2.29%

81.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-200

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cryptopp	Crypto\+\+	<= 5.6.4

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/15/12Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/16/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/2
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/4
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92988
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/commit/553049ba297d89d9e8fbf2204acb40a8a53f5cd6Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/277Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/15/12Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/16/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/2
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/4
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/11/14/5
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92988
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/commit/553049ba297d89d9e8fbf2204acb40a8a53f5cd6Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/277Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 16, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-7420?

How severe is CVE-2016-7420?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-7420 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 2.29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7420?

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-2016-7420?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST