7.8

CVE-2016-2854: linux linux_kernel Improper Privilege Management

Modified
AliasesUBUNTU-CVE-2016-2854DEBIAN-CVE-2016-2854
Published 02-05-2016Last modified 05-08-2024

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2016-2854 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in linux linux_kernel. EPSS estimates a 0.95% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 61.3% of scored vulnerabilities. 3 public exploits are recorded.

Priority
Prioritisepublic exploit

Public exploit (exploit-database, 19-02-2016)

Source freshness unavailable

How is this decided?
CVSS score
7.8/10
010
High · v3.1 (NVD)
EPSS score
0.95%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVNot listedNot listed by any tracked catalog.
RansomwareNot flaggedNo ransomware use recorded.
Public exploits3reference, exploit-database

Advisory lineage

Upstream 0 · Downstream 1 · Related 1
USN-5343-1

Timeline

  1. 02-05-2016
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 05-08-2024
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The aufs module for the Linux kernel 3.x and 4.x does not properly maintain POSIX ACL xattr data, which allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging a group-writable setgid directory.

CVSS metrics

4 scores · 3 sources · 2 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

0.95%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

61%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

No change 0.00 pp

From 0.95% on 05-10-2026

05-10-202604-11-2026

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEV

Not in the CISA KEV catalog.

ENISA CNW

Not in the ENISA CNW catalog.

CIRCL

Not in the CIRCL catalog.

Public exploits

3 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (halfdog.net)

    Maturity: unknown

  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (openwall.com)

    Maturity: unknown

  • exploit-databaselocallinuxUnverified

    AUFS (Ubuntu 15.10) - 'allow_userns' Fuse/Xattr User Namespaces Privilege Escalation

    Maturity: poc

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Version check

Known conditions: local access, low-privilege account, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.

Ubuntu61 products
  • linuxAll versions (No fix recorded) | < 4.4.0-222.255
  • linux-aws< 4.4.0-1102.107 | < 4.4.0-1138.152
  • linux-aws-fipsAll versions (No fix recorded)
  • linux-azureAll versions (No fix recorded)
  • linux-azure-5.11All versions (No fix recorded)
Debian1 product
  • linux< 3.18-1~exp1
Linux1 product

3 vendors · 63 products

References

8 links