9.8

CVE-2016-2338: debian debian_linux Out-of-bounds Write

CVSS: 9.8v3.1CriticalModified
AliasesUBUNTU-CVE-2016-2338DLA-2158-1
Published 14-02-2020Last modified 05-08-2024
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2016-2338 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in debian debian_linux. EPSS estimates a 4.74% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 91.7% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Overall risk
70/100
0100
High · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
9.8/10
010
Critical · v3.1 (NVD)
EPSS score
4.74%
0%100%
Low · +0.06 pp in 30 days
KEVNot listedIn no KEV catalog
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits1reference

Timeline

  1. 14-02-2020
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 05-08-2024
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

An exploitable heap overflow vulnerability exists in the Psych::Emitter start_document function of Ruby. In Psych::Emitter start_document function heap buffer "head" allocation is made based on tags array length. Specially constructed object passed as element of tags array can increase this array size after mentioned allocation and cause heap overflow.

CVSS metrics

2 scores · 2 sources · 1 version

EPSS trend

Probability

4.74%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

92%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

+0.06 pp

From 4.68% on 19-09-2026

19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score
4.74%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs

Not in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.

Public exploits

1 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (talosintelligence.com)

    Maturity: unknown

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Ubuntu3 products
  • ruby-psych< 2.2.4-6build4
  • ruby2.3< 2.3.1-2~ubuntu16.04.14
  • ruby2.5< 2.5.1-1ubuntu1.6
Debian2 products
Ruby-lang1 product
  • rubyEOL2.2.2 | 2.3.0

3 vendors · 6 products

References

5 links