HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-3710
HIGH

CVE-2016-3710

CWE-119Published: May 11, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The VGA module in QEMU improperly performs bounds checking on banked access to video memory, which allows local guest OS administrators to execute arbitrary code on the host by changing access modes after setting the bank register, aka the "Dark Portal" issue.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-3710 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.8.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.

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.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeChanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
citrix1 product(s)
xenserver
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
HP1 product(s)
helion openstack
Oracle2 product(s)
vm serverlinux
qemu1 product(s)
qemu
Red Hat8 product(s)
openstackvirtualizationenterprise linux desktopenterprise linux serverenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server eusenterprise linux server tusenterprise linux workstation
Source: NVD CPE · 43 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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Official Patches & Advisories

All References (44)

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-3710
CVSS Score8.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-119
CISA KEVNo
Affected7 vendor(s)
PublishedMay 11, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-119)

Recommended Actions

  • Apply vendor patches immediately
  • Monitor CVE-2016-3710 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.