CVE-2016-6836: debian debian_linux Improper Initialization
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2016-6836 is a medium (CVSS 6.0) Improper Initialization vulnerability in debian debian_linux. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 34.2% of scored vulnerabilities.
Not severe (CVSS 6, local access); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 8 · Related 7Timeline
- 10-12-2016PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 06-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The vmxnet3_complete_packet function in hw/net/vmxnet3.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator) allows local guest OS administrators to obtain sensitive host memory information by leveraging failure to initialize the txcq_descr object.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 3 sources · 3 versions- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated6.0MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated6.0MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS trend
Probability
0.40%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
34%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 0.40% on 04-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: local access, administrative account, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Debian2 products
- qemu< 1:2.6+dfsg-3.1
- debian_linuxEOL8.0
Qemu1 product
- qemu≤ 2.7.1
Ubuntu1 product
- qemu< 2.0.0+dfsg-2ubuntu1.30 | < 1:2.5+dfsg-5ubuntu10.6
3 vendors · 4 products
References
11 links- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/11/5Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTThird Party AdvisoryREPORT
- lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-08/msg02108.htmlMailing ListX Refsource MLISTPatchThird Party AdvisoryREPORT
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00038.htmlMailing ListX Refsource MLISTThird Party Advisory