What is CVE-2016-9644?

CVE-2016-9644 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, classified as a Permissions, Privileges and Access Control flaw (CWE-264). CVE-2016-9644 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2016-9644?

CVE-2016-9644 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2016-9644?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2016-9644. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

Is CVE-2016-9644 actively exploited?

CVE-2016-9644 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Permissions, Privileges and Access Control (CWE-264)?

Weaknesses in this category are related to the management of permissions, privileges, and access controls. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/264.html

CVE-2016-9644

High

The __get_user_asm_ex macro in arch/x86/include/asm/uaccess.h in the Linux kernel 4.4.22 through 4.4.28 contains extended asm statements that are incompatible with the exception table, which allows local users to obtain root access on non-SMEP platforms via a crafted application. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of incorrect backporting of the CVE-2016-9178 patch to older kernels.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2016-11-28

Last modified 2026-05-06

CVSS version 3.0

Patch available

Awaiting data

CVSS 3.0 score

7.8

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-264

CVE-2016-9644 is a Permissions, Privileges and Access Control vulnerability

What is Permissions, Privileges and Access Control?

Weaknesses in this category are related to the management of permissions, privileges, and access controls. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2016-9644 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Openwall
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/07/4

Mailing List Third Party Advisory
Securityfocus
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94545
Ubuntu Security
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3146-1
Ubuntu Security
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3146-2
Lwn
https://lwn.net/Articles/705220/

Product

Details

CVE ID CVE-2016-9644

Severity High

CVSS score 7.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.0

Published 2016-11-28

Modified 2026-05-06

KEV No

Patch Awaiting data

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-9644?

CVE-2016-9644 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as a Permissions, Privileges and Access Control flaw (CWE-264) . CVE-2016-9644 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2016-9644?

CVE-2016-9644 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.0). The vector string is CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2016-9644?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2016-9644. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
Is CVE-2016-9644 actively exploited?

No — CVE-2016-9644 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
What is Permissions, Privileges and Access Control (CWE-264)?

Weaknesses in this category are related to the management of permissions, privileges, and access controls. View CWE-264 on MITRE CWE →