CVE-2016-7072: debian debian_linux Improper Input Validation
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2016-7072 is a high (CVSS 7.5) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in debian debian_linux. EPSS estimates a 6.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 93.4% of scored vulnerabilities.
Not severe (CVSS 5.3, network access); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 4 · Related 1Timeline
- 10-09-2018PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 06-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
An issue has been found in PowerDNS Authoritative Server before 3.4.11 and 4.0.2 allowing a remote, unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service by opening a large number of TCP connections to the web server. If the web server runs out of file descriptors, it triggers an exception and terminates the whole PowerDNS process. While it's more complicated for an unauthorized attacker to make the web server run out of file descriptors since its connection will be closed just after being accepted, it might still be possible.
CVSS metrics
6 scores · 5 sources · 2 versions- CVE.orgCNA5.3MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:LDiffers
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated7.5HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated7.5HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
- OSV · AlpineEcosystem advisory · calculated7.5HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
6.15%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
93%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 6.15% 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 cause- CWE-20Improper Input ValidationThe product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
- CWE-400Uncontrolled Resource ConsumptionThe product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
Affected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Debian2 products
- pdns< 4.0.2-1
- debian_linuxEOL8.0
Alpine1 product
- pdns< 4.0.3-r0
Open-xchange1 product
- pdns3.4.11 | 4.0.2
Powerdns1 product
- authoritative< 3.4.11 | ≥ 4.0.0, < 4.0.2
Ubuntu1 product
- pdnsAll versions (No fix recorded)
5 vendors · 6 products
References
7 links- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2016-7072X Refsource CONFIRMIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
