CVE-2016-9806

Name: CVE-2016-9806
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-28T07:59:00.667+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.36%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-9806 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Race condition in the netlink_dump function in net/netlink/af_netlink.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (double free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application that makes sendmsg system calls, leading to a free operation associated with a new dump that started earlier than anticipated.. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Race condition in the netlink_dump function in net/netlink/af_netlink.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (double free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application that makes sendmsg system calls, leading to a free operation associated with a new dump that started earlier than anticipated.

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

0.36%

28.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.12, < 3.12.62
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.13, < 3.14.73
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.15, < 3.16.37
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.37
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.1.28
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.2, < 4.4.14
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.6.3

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=92964c79b357efd980812c4de5c1fd2ec8bb5520Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://lists.openwall.net/netdev/2016/05/15/69Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.3Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/4Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94653Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037968Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1842Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2077Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2669Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1401502Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/92964c79b357efd980812c4de5c1fd2ec8bb5520Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=92964c79b357efd980812c4de5c1fd2ec8bb5520Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://lists.openwall.net/netdev/2016/05/15/69Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.3Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/4Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94653Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037968Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1842Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2077Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2669Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1401502Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/92964c79b357efd980812c4de5c1fd2ec8bb5520Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01.htmlThird Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-9806?

How severe is CVE-2016-9806?

CVE-2016-9806 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.36% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-9806?

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-2016-9806?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST