HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-9951
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2016-9951

CWE-284Published: December 17, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

6.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An issue was discovered in Apport before 2.20.4. A malicious Apport crash file can contain a restart command in `RespawnCommand` or `ProcCmdline` fields. This command will be executed if a user clicks the Relaunch button on the Apport prompt from the malicious crash file. The fix is to only show the Relaunch button on Apport crash files generated by local systems. The Relaunch button will be hidden when crash files are opened directly in Apport-GTK.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-9951 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 6.5.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-9951. 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 InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

apport_project1 product(s)
apport
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

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-2016-9951
CVSS Score6.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-284
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedDec 17, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-284)

CVE-2018-13816
10.0
CVE-2021-38454
10.0
CVE-2017-7928
10.0
CVE-2015-2692
10.0
CVE-2020-12493
10.0
CVE-2021-3554
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2016-9951 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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