CVE-2016-4486: The rtnl_fill_link_ifmap function in net/core/rtnetlink.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 does not initialize a certain data structure…
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 14/100)
- Public proof-of-concept code exists (Exploit-DB); there is no record of exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 1.7% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 77.7% of all records.
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. A low-privileged account is enough. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: linux (Debian:12) 4.5.4-1; linux (Debian:7) 3.2.81-1; kernel-default (SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1) 3.12.62-60.62.1, 3.12.59-60.41.2.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to linux (Debian:12) 4.5.4-1; linux (Debian:7) 3.2.81-1; kernel-default (SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1) 3.12.62-60.62.1, 3.12.59-60.41.2 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
The rtnl_fill_link_ifmap function in net/core/rtnetlink.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 does not initialize a certain data structure, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel stack memory by reading a Netlink message.
- Published
- May 23, 2016
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 1.7% · 77th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-200
Report tools
Action score
14
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 13 / 40 · 3.3 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 1 / 30 · 1.7%
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- Proof of concept exists, no weaponized module
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux kernel | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel |
| novell | suse linux enterprise software development kit | cpe:2.3:a:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_software_development_kit |
| novell | suse linux enterprise debuginfo | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_debuginfo |
| novell | suse linux enterprise desktop | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_desktop |
| novell | suse linux enterprise live patching | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_live_patching |
| novell | suse linux enterprise module for public cloud | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_module_for_public_cloud |
| novell | suse linux enterprise real time extension | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_real_time_extension |
| novell | suse linux enterprise server | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_server |
| novell | suse linux enterprise workstation extension | cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_workstation_extension |
| canonical | ubuntu linux | cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- canonical ubuntu linux12.04
- canonical ubuntu linux14.04
- canonical ubuntu linux15.10
- canonical ubuntu linux16.04
- linux linux kernelup to 4.5.4 inclusive
- novell suse linux enterprise debuginfo11.0
- novell suse linux enterprise desktop12.0
- novell suse linux enterprise live patching12.0
+7 more rows
- novell suse linux enterprise module for public cloud12.0
- novell suse linux enterprise real time extension12.0
- novell suse linux enterprise server11.0
- novell suse linux enterprise server12.0
- novell suse linux enterprise software development kit11.0
- novell suse linux enterprise software development kit12.0
- novell suse linux enterprise workstation extension12.0
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | before 4.5.4-1 | 4.5.4-1 |
| Debian:7 | linux | before 3.2.81-1 | 3.2.81-1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-default | before 3.12.62-60.62.1 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-default | before 3.12.59-60.41.2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-source | before 3.12.59-60.41.2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-source | before 3.12.62-60.62.1 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-syms | before 3.12.59-60.41.1 | 3.12.59-60.41.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-syms | before 3.12.62-60.62.1 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-xen | before 3.12.59-60.41.2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | kernel-xen | before 3.12.62-60.62.1 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_5 | before 1-2.1 | 1-2.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_7 | before 1-4.2 | 1-4.2 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 12 | kernel-ec2 | before 3.12.59-60.41.2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 12 | kernel-ec2 | before 3.12.62-60.62.1 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | kernel-pae | before 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 11 SP4 | kernel-rt | before 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 | 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 11 SP4 | kernel-rt_trace | before 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 | 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 11 SP4 | kernel-source-rt | before 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 | 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 11 SP4 | kernel-syms-rt | before 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 | 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-compute | before 3.12.61-60.18.1 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-compute_debug | before 3.12.61-60.18.1 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-rt | before 3.12.61-60.18.1 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-rt_debug | before 3.12.61-60.18.1 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-source-rt | before 3.12.61-60.18.1 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 |
+12
Same product
linux: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-31431crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-placeKEV90Now
- CVE-2022-0847A flaw was found in the way the "flags" member of the new pipe buffer structure was lacking proper initialization in copy_page_to_iter_pipe…KEV89Now
- CVE-2021-22555Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACEKEV85Now
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2016-4482May 23, 2016 · The proc_connectinfo function in drivers/usb/core/devio.c in the Linux kernel through 4.6 does not initialize a certain data structure…24Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2016-4485May 23, 2016 · The llc_cmsg_rcv function in net/llc/af_llc.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 does not initialize a certain data structure, which allows…31Monitor
- Later →CVE-2016-4557May 23, 2016 · The replace_map_fd_with_map_ptr function in kernel/bpf/verifier.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5.5 does not properly maintain an fd data…40Plan
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| debian:linux | 4.5.4-1 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-compute | 3.12.61-60.18.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-compute_debug | 3.12.61-60.18.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-default | 3.12.59-60.41.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-docs | 3.12.59-60.41.8 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-ec2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-obs-build | 3.12.59-60.41.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-rt | 3.12.61-60.18.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-rt_debug | 3.12.61-60.18.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-source | 3.12.59-60.41.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-syms | 3.12.59-60.41.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-xen | 3.12.59-60.41.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_5 | 1-2.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 12 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Proof of concept available
A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.
Evidence
- Exploit-DB entry ×1
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB entry | local | 2018-12-19 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- Published
- First PoC+940 d
- TodayNov 15, 2026+3828 d
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
Not on record for this CVE: EPSS history · researcher credit · variant or chain candidate · public bounty program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- low · data can be read
- Integrity
- none
- Availability
- none
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- Low
- Integrity impact
- None
- Availability impact
- None
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-200 · Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized ActorCVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
nvd-primary
Root cause
The extension requests broader permissions than its function needs and sends the data it collects out for purposes beyond its stated function.
The bug in code
The whole CWE-200 classA representative example of this vulnerability class. Not the vendor's source code; it shows the faulty pattern and its fix.
Vulnerable
{
"permissions": ["tabs", "<all_urls>"],
"background": { "service_worker": "analytics.js" }
}Fixed
{
"permissions": ["activeTab"],
"host_permissions": ["https://yildiz.example/*"]
}Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- ExcavationCAPEC-116likelihood: High · Medium
- Subverting Environment Variable ValuesCAPEC-13likelihood: High · Very High
- FootprintingCAPEC-169likelihood: High · Very Low
- Exploiting Trust in ClientCAPEC-22likelihood: High · High
- FingerprintingCAPEC-224likelihood: High · Very Low
- ICMP Echo Request PingCAPEC-285likelihood: Medium · Low
- TCP SYN ScanCAPEC-287Low
- Enumerate Mail Exchange (MX) RecordsCAPEC-290Low
ATT&CK techniques
- System Service DiscoveryT1007
- System Network Configuration DiscoveryT1016
- Remote System DiscoveryT1018
- System Owner/User DiscoveryT1033
- Masquerading: Match Legitimate Name or LocationT1036.005
- Network Service ScanningT1046
- System Network Connections DiscoveryT1049
- Process DiscoveryT1057
- Permission Groups DiscoveryT1069
- System Information DiscoveryT1082
- File and Directory DiscoveryT1083
- Account DiscoveryT1087
- Multi-Factor Authentication InterceptionT1111
- Peripheral Device DiscoveryT1120
- System Time DiscoveryT1124
- Access Token Manipulation:Token Impersonation/TheftT1134.001
Change log (1)
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (19 more)Show less
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00044.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00052.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00054.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-06/msg00056.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00000.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00007.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00038.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00044.html
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-08/msg00055.html
- www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3607
- www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.5.5
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/05/04/27
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/90051
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2989-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2996-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2997-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2998-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3000-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3001-1
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.