MEDIUM
CVE-2016-7796
CWE-20Published: October 13, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The manager_dispatch_notify_fd function in systemd allows local users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via a zero-length message received over a notify socket, which causes an error to be returned and the notification handler to be disabled.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2016-7796 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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
novell4 product(s)
suse linux enterprise software development kitsuse linux enterprise desktopsuse linux enterprise serversuse linux enterprise server for sap
Red Hat4 product(s)
enterprise linux desktopenterprise linux hpc nodeenterprise linux serverenterprise linux workstation
systemd_project1 product(s)
systemd
Source: NVD CPE · 12 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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
All References (20)
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00015.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00016.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/30/1Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93250Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1381911Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/4234#issuecomment-250441246Exploit · Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2015-2092.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
https://www.agwa.name/blog/post/how_to_crash_systemd_in_one_tweetExploit · Technical Description · Third Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00015.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00016.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/30/1Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93250Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2016-7796
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-20
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedOct 13, 2016
Related CVEs (CWE-20)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2016-7796 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.