HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-6255
HIGHPOC

CVE-2016-6255

CWE-284Published: March 7, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Portable UPnP SDK (aka libupnp) before 1.6.21 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files in the webroot via a POST request without a registered handler.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-6255 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

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 full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-6255. 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.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
libupnp_project1 product(s)
libupnp
Source: NVD CPE · 2 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

PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/18/13
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/20/5
PATCHhttps://github.com/mjg59/pupnp-code/commit/be0a01bdb83395d9f3a5ea09c1308a4f1a972cbd
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/18/13
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/20/5
PATCHhttps://github.com/mjg59/pupnp-code/commit/be0a01bdb83395d9f3a5ea09c1308a4f1a972cbd
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3736
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92050
ADVISORYhttps://sourceforge.net/p/pupnp/code/ci/master/tree/ChangeLog
ADVISORYhttps://twitter.com/mjg59/status/755062278513319936
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3736
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92050
ADVISORYhttps://sourceforge.net/p/pupnp/code/ci/master/tree/ChangeLog
ADVISORYhttps://twitter.com/mjg59/status/755062278513319936

All References (20)

→
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3736Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/18/13Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/20/5Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92050Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://github.com/mjg59/pupnp-code/commit/be0a01bdb83395d9f3a5ea09c1308a4f1a972cbdIssue Tracking · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-52
→
https://sourceforge.net/p/pupnp/code/ci/master/tree/ChangeLogRelease Notes · Third Party Advisory
→
https://twitter.com/mjg59/status/755062278513319936Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40589/
→
https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2017-10
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3736Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/18/13Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/20/5Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92050Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://github.com/mjg59/pupnp-code/commit/be0a01bdb83395d9f3a5ea09c1308a4f1a972cbdIssue Tracking · Patch · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-6255
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-284
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 7, 2017

Related CVEs (CWE-284)

CVE-2026-35307
10.0
CVE-2022-32158
10.0
CVE-2020-12030
10.0
CVE-2015-3306
10.0
CVE-2021-3554
10.0
CVE-2015-3060
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-6255 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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