CVE-2016-9794

Name: CVE-2016-9794
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-28T07:59:00.603+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.34%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-9794 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Race condition in the snd_pcm_period_elapsed function in sound/core/pcm_lib.c in the ALSA subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.7 allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_START command.. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Race condition in the snd_pcm_period_elapsed function in sound/core/pcm_lib.c in the ALSA subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.7 allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_START command.

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

0.34%

25.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 3.2.85
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.10.105
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.11, < 3.12.69
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.13, < 3.16.40
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.52
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.4.37
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.7

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=3aa02cb664c5fb1042958c8d1aa8c35055a2ebc4Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00057.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00062.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00072.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00075.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00081.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00088.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00091.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2574.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/2Mailing List, Patch
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94654Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1401494Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/3aa02cb664c5fb1042958c8d1aa8c35055a2ebc4Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/8752621/Issue Tracking
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-05-01Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=3aa02cb664c5fb1042958c8d1aa8c35055a2ebc4Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00057.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00062.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00072.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00075.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00081.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00088.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-12/msg00091.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2574.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/2Mailing List, Patch
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94654Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1401494Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/3aa02cb664c5fb1042958c8d1aa8c35055a2ebc4Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/8752621/Issue Tracking
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-05-01Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 28, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-9794?

How severe is CVE-2016-9794?

CVE-2016-9794 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.34% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-9794?

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-2016-9794?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST