CVE-2016-8681

Name: CVE-2016-8681
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-02-15T21:59:00.607+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 2.08%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-8681 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The _dwarf_get_abbrev_for_code function in dwarf_util.c in libdwarf 20161001 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) by calling the dwarfdump command on a crafted file.. EPSS estimates a 2.08% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The _dwarf_get_abbrev_for_code function in dwarf_util.c in libdwarf 20161001 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) by calling the dwarfdump command on a crafted file.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

2.08%

79.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-125

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Libdwarf Project	Libdwarf	<= 2016-10-01

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/10/16/5Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93592Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/10/06/libdwarf-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-_dwarf_get_abbrev_for_code-dwarf_util-c-2/Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1385690Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/10/16/5Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93592Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/10/06/libdwarf-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-_dwarf_get_abbrev_for_code-dwarf_util-c-2/Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1385690Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Feb 15, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-8681?

How severe is CVE-2016-8681?

CVE-2016-8681 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.08% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-8681?

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-2016-8681?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST