CVE-2016-7466
CWE-772Published: December 10, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official Description
Memory leak in the usb_xhci_exit function in hw/usb/hcd-xhci.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator), when the xhci uses msix, allows local guest OS administrators to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and possibly QEMU process crash) by repeatedly unplugging a USB device.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2016-7466 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 6.0.
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.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (18)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-772)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2016-7466 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts