CVE-2016-7916

Name: CVE-2016-7916
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-11-16T05:59:11.017+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.39%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-7916 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. Race condition in the environ_read function in fs/proc/base.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.4 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory by reading a /proc/*/environ file during a process-setup time interval in which environment-variable copying is incomplete.. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Race condition in the environ_read function in fs/proc/base.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.4 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory by reading a /proc/*/environ file during a process-setup time interval in which environment-variable copying is incomplete.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.39%

30.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-362

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	<= 4.5.3

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8148a73c9901a8794a50f950083c00ccf97d43b3Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.4Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94138Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3159-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3159-2
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=116461Issue Tracking
https://forums.grsecurity.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4363Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8148a73c9901a8794a50f950083c00ccf97d43b3Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8148a73c9901a8794a50f950083c00ccf97d43b3Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.4Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94138Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3159-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3159-2
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=116461Issue Tracking
https://forums.grsecurity.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4363Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8148a73c9901a8794a50f950083c00ccf97d43b3Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-7916?

How severe is CVE-2016-7916?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-7916 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7916?

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-2016-7916?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST