HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-10255
MEDIUM

CVE-2016-10255

CWE-119Published: March 23, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The __libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock function in elf_getdata.c in elfutils before 0.168 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted (1) sh_off or (2) sh_size ELF header value, which triggers a memory allocation failure.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-10255 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-119): Buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service by corrupting adjacent memory.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

elfutils_project1 product(s)
elfutils
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/22/1
ADVISORYhttps://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/11/04/elfutils-memory-allocation-failure-in-__libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock-elf_getdata-c/
ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1387584
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/22/1
ADVISORYhttps://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/11/04/elfutils-memory-allocation-failure-in-__libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock-elf_getdata-c/
ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1387584

All References (12)

→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/22/1Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/11/04/elfutils-memory-allocation-failure-in-__libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock-elf_getdata-c/Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1387584Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedorahosted.org/archives/list/elfutils-devel%40lists.fedorahosted.org/thread/Q4LE47FPEVRZANMV6JE2NMHYO4H5MHGJ/
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-10
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3670-1/
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/22/1Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/11/04/elfutils-memory-allocation-failure-in-__libelf_set_rawdata_wrlock-elf_getdata-c/Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1387584Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedorahosted.org/archives/list/elfutils-devel%40lists.fedorahosted.org/thread/Q4LE47FPEVRZANMV6JE2NMHYO4H5MHGJ/
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-10
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3670-1/

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-10255
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-119
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 23, 2017

Related CVEs (CWE-119)

CVE-2008-0067
10.0
CVE-2008-7232
10.0
CVE-2009-3849
10.0
CVE-2010-3187
10.0
CVE-2009-3699
10.0
CVE-2009-3999
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-10255 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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