CVE-2016-9754

Name: CVE-2016-9754
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-01-05T11:59:00.193+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.53%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-9754 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The ring_buffer_resize function in kernel/trace/ring_buffer.c in the profiling subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.6.1 mishandles certain integer calculations, which allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb file.. EPSS estimates a 0.53% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The ring_buffer_resize function in kernel/trace/ring_buffer.c in the profiling subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.6.1 mishandles certain integer calculations, which allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb file.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.53%

40.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-190

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.5, < 3.10.102
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.11, < 3.12.61
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.13, < 3.14.71
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.15, < 3.16.37
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.35
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.1.26
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.2, < 4.4.12
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.5.6
Linux	Linux Kernel	4.6

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.1Release Notes
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95278Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-01-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.1Release Notes
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95278Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-01-01.htmlThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 5, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-9754?

How severe is CVE-2016-9754?

CVE-2016-9754 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.53% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-9754?

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-2016-9754?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST