HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-5312
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2016-5312

CWE-22Published: April 14, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

6.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the charting component in Symantec Messaging Gateway before 10.6.2 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the sn parameter to brightmail/servlet/com.ve.kavachart.servlet.ChartStream.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-5312 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

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), with a CVSS base score of 6.5.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-5312. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

symantec1 product(s)
messaging gateway
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
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://packetstormsecurity.com/files/138891/Symantec-Messaging-Gateway-10.6.1-Directory-Traversal.html
ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Sep/71
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93148
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036908
ADVISORYhttp://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160927_00
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40437/
ADVISORYhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/138891/Symantec-Messaging-Gateway-10.6.1-Directory-Traversal.html
ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Sep/71
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93148
ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036908
ADVISORYhttp://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160927_00
ADVISORYhttps://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40437/

All References (12)

→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/138891/Symantec-Messaging-Gateway-10.6.1-Directory-Traversal.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Sep/71Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93148Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036908Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160927_00Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40437/Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/138891/Symantec-Messaging-Gateway-10.6.1-Directory-Traversal.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Sep/71Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93148Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036908Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=&suid=20160927_00Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40437/Exploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-5312
CVSS Score6.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-22
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedApr 14, 2017

Related CVEs (CWE-22)

CVE-2025-54261
10.0
CVE-2008-0405
10.0
CVE-2007-5005
10.0
CVE-2007-5364
10.0
CVE-2025-58321
10.0
CVE-2008-2241
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-5312 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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