HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-5238

MEDIUM

CVE-2016-5238

CWE-787Published: June 14, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

4.4

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The get_cmd function in hw/scsi/esp.c in QEMU might allow local guest OS administrators to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write and QEMU process crash) via vectors related to reading from the information transfer buffer in non-DMA mode.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-5238 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

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

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 4.4.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-787): Out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities can lead to data corruption, crashes, or arbitrary code execution.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorLocal

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.High

User InteractionNone

ScopeUnchanged

Impact

ConfidentialityNone

IntegrityNone

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)

ubuntu linux

Debian1 product(s)

debian linux

qemu1 product(s)

qemu

Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time

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

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-05/msg05691.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-06/msg00150.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-05/msg05691.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-06/msg00150.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/2

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/9

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90995

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-1

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-2

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1341931

ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00038.html

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201609-01

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/2

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/9

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90995

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-1

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-2

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1341931

ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00038.html

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201609-01

All References (20)

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/2Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/9Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90995Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-1Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-2Third Party Advisory

→

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1341931Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory

→

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00038.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-05/msg05691.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory

→

https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2016-06/msg00150.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory

→

https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201609-01Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/2Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/02/9Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90995Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-1Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3047-2Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-5238

CVSS Score4.4 / 10

SeverityMEDIUM

WeaknessCWE-787

CISA KEVNo

Affected3 vendor(s)

PublishedJun 14, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-787)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2016-5238 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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