CVE-2016-7914

Name: CVE-2016-7914
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-11-16T05:59:08.97+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 2.04%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-7914 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The assoc_array_insert_into_terminal_node function in lib/assoc_array.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.3 does not check whether a slot is a leaf, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory or cause a denial of service (invalid pointer dereference and out-of-bounds read) via an application that uses associative-array data structures, as demonstrated by the keyutils test suite.. EPSS estimates a 2.04% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The assoc_array_insert_into_terminal_node function in lib/assoc_array.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.3 does not check whether a slot is a leaf, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory or cause a denial of service (invalid pointer dereference and out-of-bounds read) via an application that uses associative-array data structures, as demonstrated by the keyutils test suite.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

2.04%

78.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	<= 4.5.2

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8d4a2ec1e0b41b0cf9a0c5cd4511da7f8e4f3de2Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2574.html
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.3Release Notes
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94138Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8d4a2ec1e0b41b0cf9a0c5cd4511da7f8e4f3de2Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8d4a2ec1e0b41b0cf9a0c5cd4511da7f8e4f3de2Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2574.html
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.3Release Notes
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94138Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8d4a2ec1e0b41b0cf9a0c5cd4511da7f8e4f3de2Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-7914?

How severe is CVE-2016-7914?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-7914 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 2.04% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7914?

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-2016-7914?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST