HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-2188

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CVE-2016-2188

NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: May 2, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

4.6

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The iowarrior_probe function in drivers/usb/misc/iowarrior.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.1 allows physically proximate attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted endpoints value in a USB device descriptor.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-2188 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 4.6.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-2188. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorPhysical

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.None

User InteractionNone

ScopeUnchanged

Impact

ConfidentialityNone

IntegrityNone

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)

ubuntu linux

Linux1 product(s)

linux kernel

novell8 product(s)

suse linux enterprise software development kitsuse linux enterprise debuginfosuse linux enterprise desktopsuse linux enterprise live patchingsuse linux enterprise module for public cloudsuse linux enterprise real time extensionsuse linux enterprise serversuse linux enterprise workstation extension

Source: NVD CPE · 13 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=4ec0ef3a82125efc36173062a50624550a900ae0

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00052.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00054.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00056.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00059.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-07/msg00005.html

ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/118

ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/87

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2996-1

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2997-1

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1317018

ADVISORYhttps://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/4ec0ef3a82125efc36173062a50624550a900ae0

ADVISORYhttp://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=4ec0ef3a82125efc36173062a50624550a900ae0

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00052.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00054.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00056.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00059.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-07/msg00005.html

ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/118

ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/87

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2996-1

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2997-1

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1317018

ADVISORYhttps://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/4ec0ef3a82125efc36173062a50624550a900ae0

All References (46)

→

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=4ec0ef3a82125efc36173062a50624550a900ae0Vendor Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-05/msg00060.html

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00052.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00054.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00056.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00059.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-07/msg00005.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00038.html

→

http://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/118Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Mar/87Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.1

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2968-1

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2968-2

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2969-1

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2970-1

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-2188

CVSS Score4.6 / 10

SeverityMEDIUM

WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other

CISA KEVNo

ExploitPOC

Affected3 vendor(s)

PublishedMay 2, 2016

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2016-2188 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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