Buffer overflow in Bsd Libc Library
CVE-2016-6559
Improper bounds checking of the obuf variable in the link_ntoa() function in linkaddr.c of the BSD libc library may allow an attacker to read or write from memory. The full impact and severity depends on the method of exploit and how the library is used by applications. According to analysis by FreeBSD developers, it is very unlikely that applications exist that utilize link_ntoa() in an exploitable manner, and the CERT/CC is not aware of any proof of concept. A blog post describes the functionality of link_ntoa() and points out that none of the base utilities use this function in an exploitable manner. For more information, please see FreeBSD Security Advisory SA-16:37.
Vulnerability class: Buffer Overflow
EPSS: 0.037 (88.6th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 9.8 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Bsd Libc Library — versions link_ntoa()
- Freebsd — versions 9.3, 10.1, 10.2
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- cret@cert.org (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry, x_refsource_SECTRACK)
- cret@cert.org (x_refsource_FREEBSD, vendor-advisory, Vendor Advisory)
- cret@cert.org (US Government Resource, x_refsource_CERT-VN, Third Party Advisory, third-party-advisory)
- cret@cert.org (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, vdb-entry, x_refsource_BID)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2016-6559?
- CVE-2016-6559 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Bsd Libc Library, classified under Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input (Classic Buffer Overflow). CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2018-07-13.
- How severe is CVE-2016-6559?
- Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.