HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-9950
HIGHPOC

CVE-2016-9950

CWE-22Published: December 17, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An issue was discovered in Apport before 2.20.4. There is a path traversal issue in the Apport crash file "Package" and "SourcePackage" fields. These fields are used to build a path to the package specific hook files in the /usr/share/apport/package-hooks/ directory. An attacker can exploit this path traversal to execute arbitrary Python files from the local system.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-9950 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-9950. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

apport_project1 product(s)
apport
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
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

PATCHhttps://bugs.launchpad.net/apport/+bug/1648806
PATCHhttps://bugs.launchpad.net/apport/+bug/1648806
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95011
ADVISORYhttps://donncha.is/2016/12/compromising-ubuntu-desktop/
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/DonnchaC/ubuntu-apport-exploitation
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95011
ADVISORYhttps://donncha.is/2016/12/compromising-ubuntu-desktop/
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/DonnchaC/ubuntu-apport-exploitation

All References (12)

→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95011Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3157-1
→
https://bugs.launchpad.net/apport/+bug/1648806Issue Tracking · Patch
→
https://donncha.is/2016/12/compromising-ubuntu-desktop/Exploit · Technical Description · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/DonnchaC/ubuntu-apport-exploitationIssue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40937/
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95011Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3157-1
→
https://bugs.launchpad.net/apport/+bug/1648806Issue Tracking · Patch
→
https://donncha.is/2016/12/compromising-ubuntu-desktop/Exploit · Technical Description · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/DonnchaC/ubuntu-apport-exploitationIssue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40937/

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-9950
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-22
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedDec 17, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-22)

CVE-2013-6221
10.0
CVE-2026-48282
KEV10.0
CVE-2023-2909
10.0
CVE-2024-37902
10.0
CVE-2025-52562
10.0
CVE-2026-34909
KEV10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-9950 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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