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CVE-2016-4557

50
FAUCET Score

CVE-2016-4557 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Linux kernel before version 4.5.5, specifically within the BPF verifier. It stems from improper maintenance of an fd data structure, leading to a use-after-free condition. This flaw allows local users to escalate privileges or cause a denial of service through crafted BPF instructions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 (High) and a FAUCET Risk Score of 97/100, indicating a significant risk due to its low attack complexity and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While not listed on the KEV catalog, exploit intelligence confirms the existence of public exploit code, including Metasploit modules and ExploitDB entries, demonstrating its exploitability. Despite the availability of exploits, there is minimal community discussion or media coverage surrounding this CVE.

Impacted Technologies

VendorProductVersion(s)CPE
>= 4.4, < 4.4.11CPE matchmatch criteria
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
>= 4.5, < 4.5.5CPE matchmatch criteria
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

CVSS Data

CVSS version used by this source: 3.1

7.8HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality Impact
HIGH
Integrity Impact
HIGH
Availability Impact
HIGH
Exploitability Score
1.8
Impact Score
5.9
CvssVersion
3.1

Exploit Intelligence

EPSS Score
10.20%
Probability of exploitation in next 30 days
EPSS Percentile
95.2%
Percentile rank of EPSS score among Peer Group
As of 2026-07-26
Model: v2026.06.15
Metasploit: Linux BPF doubleput UAF Privilege Escalation · May 4, 2016
ExploitDB: EDB-40759 · Nov 14, 2016
This CVE's current EPSS score of 0.1020 is in the 99th percentile among its peer group of 16,994 CVEs.

Social Chatter

The average CVE in this peer group has 0.0 Twitter, 0.1 Reddit, 0.2 Bluesky, 0.1 Mastodon, and 0.2 GitHub mentions.

Media Mentions

No media coverage found for this CVE.

The average CVE in this peer group has 0.3 InfoSec Media, 0.0 Vendor Blog, and 0.0 Security Researcher mentions.

Remediation

Vendor Patches (1)

github_advisoryvendor investigatingvia nvd_reference
View patch

Vendor Advisories (1)

redhatCVE-2016-4557Important

kernel: Use after free vulnerability via double fdput

Apr 26, 2016

References

git.kernel.org / cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit
Vendor Advisory
lists.opensuse.org / opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00044.html
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
bugs.chromium.org / p/project-zero/issues/detail
Third Party Advisory
bugs.debian.org / 823603
Third Party Advisory
bugzilla.redhat.com / show_bug.cgi
Issue TrackingThird Party Advisory
github.com / torvalds/linux/commit/8358b02bf67d3a5d8a825070e1aa73f25fb2e4c7
Vendor Advisory
exploit-db.com / exploits/40759
Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
kernel.org / pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.5
Vendor Advisory
openwall.com / lists/oss-security/2016/05/06/4
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory