CVE-2016-2550

Medium

The Linux kernel before 4.5 allows local users to bypass file-descriptor limits and cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by leveraging incorrect tracking of descriptor ownership and sending each descriptor over a UNIX socket before closing it. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2013-4312.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2016-04-27
Last modified 2026-05-06
CVSS version 3.0
Patch available
Awaiting data

CVSS 3.0 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-399

CVE-2016-2550 is classified as CWE-399

See CWE-399 on MITRE CWE for full details on this weakness type.

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2016-2550 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2016-2550?

    CVE-2016-2550 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . CVE-2016-2550 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2016-2550?

    CVE-2016-2550 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.0). The vector string is CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2016-2550?

    No patch is currently available for CVE-2016-2550. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

  • Is CVE-2016-2550 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2016-2550 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

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