zlib 1.2.8 Pointer Arithmetic inftrees.c numeric error

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as problematic has been discovered in zlib 1.2.8. This affects an unknown function in the library zlib of the file inftrees.c of the component Pointer Arithmetic. Such manipulation leads to numeric error. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2016-9840. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in zlib 1.2.8. Affected by this issue is an unknown functionality in the library zlib of the file inftrees.c of the component Pointer Arithmetic. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a numeric error vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-189. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

inftrees.c in zlib 1.2.8 might allow context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging improper pointer arithmetic.

The bug was discovered 12/05/2016. The weakness was presented 05/23/2017 with Trail of Bits/TrustInSoft (oss-sec). The advisory is shared for download at openwall.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2016-9840 since 12/05/2016. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 49 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 96691 (GLSA-201701-56 : zlib: Multiple vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Gentoo Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 371397 (IBM Cognos Business Intelligence Multiple Security Vulnerabilities(swg22014202)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (96691) and SecurityFocus (BID 95131†). See VDB-101649, VDB-101650, VDB-101651 and VDB-104096 for similar entries. If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Numeric error
CWE: CWE-189
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 96691
Nessus Name: GLSA-201701-56 : zlib: Multiple vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 802684
OpenVAS Name: IBM Tivoli Entpoint Manager Multiple Vulnerabilities July17
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

12/04/2016 🔍
12/05/2016 +1 days 🔍
12/05/2016 +0 days 🔍
01/23/2017 +49 days 🔍
01/23/2017 +0 days 🔍
05/23/2017 +120 days 🔍
05/23/2017 +0 days 🔍
05/23/2017 +0 days 🔍
03/28/2025 +2866 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: RHSA-2017:1220
Researcher: Trail
Organization: Trail of Bits/TrustInSoft
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2016-9840 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-9840
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-101648

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 95131 - zlib Multiple Denial of Service Vulnerabilities
OSVDB: - CVE-2016-9840 - zlib - Denial of Service Issue
SecurityTracker: 1039427

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 05/23/2017 12:44
Updated: 03/28/2025 19:02
Changes: 05/23/2017 12:44 (77), 10/02/2020 09:26 (5), 12/25/2020 13:53 (2), 12/25/2020 14:00 (1), 12/07/2022 08:31 (4), 03/28/2025 19:02 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:CC5:103

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