CVE-2016-2550
The Linux kernel before 4.5 allows local users to bypass file-descriptor limits and cause a...
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.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
5.5
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.
- Record
CVE-2016-2550- CVSS 3.0
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 4.9 Medium
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-399
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
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.
- Record
CVE-2016-2550- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2016-3626 No score
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.
- Record
EUVD-2016-3626- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-w67r-pc7p-x294
5.5
The Linux kernel before 4.5 allows local users to bypass file-descriptor limits and cause a...
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.
- Record
GHSA-w67r-pc7p-x294- CVSS 3.0
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
5.5
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.
- Record
CVE-2016-2550- CVSS 3.0
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2016-2550
5.5
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.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2016-2550- CVSS 3.0
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 5 moreShow less
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2016-2550
5.5
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.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2016-2550- CVSS 3.0
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-2946-1 No score
linux vulnerabilities
Venkatesh Pottem discovered a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CXGB3 driver. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2015-8812)
Xiaofei Rex Guo discovered a timing side channel vulnerability in the Linux Extended Verification Module (EVM). An attacker could use this to affect system integrity. (CVE-2016-2085)
David Herrmann discovered that the Linux kernel incorrectly accounted file descriptors to the original opener for in-flight file descriptors sent over a unix domain socket. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2550)
It was discovered that the Linux kernel did not enforce limits on the amount of data allocated to buffer pipes. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2847)
- Record
USN-2946-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-2947-2 No score
linux-lts-wily vulnerabilities
Ralf Spenneberg discovered that the usbvision driver in the Linux kernel did not properly validate the interfaces and endpoints reported by the device. An attacker with physical access could cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2015-7833)
Venkatesh Pottem discovered a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CXGB3 driver. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2015-8812)
Xiaofei Rex Guo discovered a timing side channel vulnerability in the Linux Extended Verification Module (EVM). An attacker could use this to affect system integrity. (CVE-2016-2085)
It was discovered that the extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) implementation in the Linux kernel did not correctly compute branch offsets for backward jumps after ctx expansion. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2016-2383)
David Herrmann discovered that the Linux kernel incorrectly accounted file descriptors to the original opener for in-flight file descriptors sent over a unix domain socket. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2550)
It was discovered that the Linux kernel did not enforce limits on the amount of data allocated to buffer pipes. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2847)
- Record
USN-2947-2- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-2948-1 No score
linux-lts-utopic vulnerabilities
Ralf Spenneberg discovered that the USB driver for Clie devices in the Linux kernel did not properly validate the endpoints reported by the device. An attacker with physical access could cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2015-7566)
Ralf Spenneberg discovered that the usbvision driver in the Linux kernel did not properly validate the interfaces and endpoints reported by the device. An attacker with physical access could cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2015-7833)
Venkatesh Pottem discovered a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CXGB3 driver. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2015-8812)
It was discovered that a race condition existed in the ioctl handler for the TTY driver in the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or expose sensitive information. (CVE-2016-0723)
Xiaofei Rex Guo discovered a timing side channel vulnerability in the Linux Extended Verification Module (EVM). An attacker could use this to affect system integrity. (CVE-2016-2085)
David Herrmann discovered that the Linux kernel incorrectly accounted file descriptors to the original opener for in-flight file descriptors sent over a unix domain socket. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2550)
Ralf Spenneberg discovered that the USB driver for Treo devices in the Linux kernel did not properly validate the endpoints reported by the device. An attacker with physical access could cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2016-2782)
It was discovered that the Linux kernel did not enforce limits on the amount of data allocated to buffer pipes. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2847)
- Record
USN-2948-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-2949-1 No score
linux-lts-vivid vulnerabilities
Venkatesh Pottem discovered a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CXGB3 driver. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2015-8812)
Xiaofei Rex Guo discovered a timing side channel vulnerability in the Linux Extended Verification Module (EVM). An attacker could use this to affect system integrity. (CVE-2016-2085)
David Herrmann discovered that the Linux kernel incorrectly accounted file descriptors to the original opener for in-flight file descriptors sent over a unix domain socket. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2550)
It was discovered that the Linux kernel did not enforce limits on the amount of data allocated to buffer pipes. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion). (CVE-2016-2847)
- Record
USN-2949-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
linuxDebian:12 |
before 4.4.4-1 | 4.4.4-1 |
linuxDebian:13 |
before 4.4.4-1 | 4.4.4-1 |
linuxDebian:14 |
before 4.4.4-1 | 4.4.4-1 |
linuxDebian:7 From an advisory covering 15 CVEs |
before 3.2.73-2+deb7u3, plus listed versions 3.2.41-23.2.41-2+deb7u13.2.41-2+deb7u23.2.41-2+deb7u2~bpo60+13.2.46-1 Show 45 moreShow less3.2.46-1+deb7u13.2.46-1+deb7u1~bpo60+13.2.46-1~bpo60+13.2.51-13.2.51-1~bpo60+13.2.53-13.2.53-23.2.54-13.2.54-23.2.54-2~bpo60+13.2.57-13.2.57-23.2.57-33.2.57-3+deb7u13.2.57-3+deb7u23.2.57-3+deb7u2~bpo60+13.2.60-13.2.60-1+deb7u13.2.60-1+deb7u23.2.60-1+deb7u33.2.60-1+deb7u3~bpo60+13.2.63-13.2.63-23.2.63-2+deb7u13.2.63-2+deb7u1~bpo60+13.2.63-2+deb7u23.2.63-2+deb7u2~bpo60+13.2.65-13.2.65-1+deb7u13.2.65-1+deb7u1~bpo60+13.2.65-1+deb7u23.2.65-1+deb7u2~bpo60+13.2.68-13.2.68-1+deb7u13.2.68-1+deb7u1~bpo60+13.2.68-1+deb7u23.2.68-1+deb7u2~bpo60+13.2.68-1+deb7u33.2.68-1+deb7u3~bpo60+13.2.68-1+deb7u43.2.68-1+deb7u4~bpo60+13.2.68-1+deb7u53.2.68-1+deb7u63.2.68-1+deb7u6~bpo60+13.2.71-1 |
3.2.73-2+deb7u3 |
linuxDebian:8 From an advisory covering 15 CVEs |
before 3.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u4, plus listed versions 3.16.7-ckt11-13.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u13.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u23.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u2~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u3 Show 19 moreShow less3.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u3~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u43.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u4~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u53.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u63.16.7-ckt11-1+deb8u6~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt11-1~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt17-13.16.7-ckt20-13.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u13.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u23.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u2~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u33.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u3~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u4~bpo70+13.16.7-ckt9-23.16.7-ckt9-33.16.7-ckt9-3~deb8u13.16.7-ckt9-3~deb8u1~bpo70+1 |
3.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u4 |
linuxUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 3.13.0-85.129, plus listed versions 3.11.0-12.193.12.0-1.33.12.0-2.53.12.0-2.73.12.0-3.8 Show 45 moreShow less3.12.0-3.93.12.0-4.103.12.0-4.123.12.0-5.133.12.0-7.153.13.0-1.163.13.0-2.173.13.0-3.183.13.0-4.193.13.0-5.203.13.0-6.233.13.0-7.253.13.0-7.263.13.0-8.273.13.0-8.283.13.0-10.303.13.0-11.313.13.0-12.323.13.0-13.333.13.0-14.343.13.0-15.353.13.0-16.363.13.0-17.373.13.0-18.383.13.0-19.393.13.0-19.403.13.0-20.423.13.0-21.433.13.0-22.443.13.0-23.453.13.0-24.463.13.0-24.473.13.0-27.503.13.0-29.533.13.0-30.543.13.0-30.553.13.0-32.573.13.0-33.583.13.0-34.603.13.0-35.623.13.0-36.633.13.0-37.643.13.0-39.663.13.0-40.693.13.0-41.70 |
3.13.0-85.129 |
linux-lts-utopicUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1, plus listed versions 3.16.0-25.33~14.04.23.16.0-26.35~14.04.13.16.0-28.37~14.04.13.16.0-28.38~14.04.13.16.0-29.39~14.04.1 Show 33 moreShow less3.16.0-30.40~14.04.13.16.0-31.41~14.04.13.16.0-31.43~14.04.13.16.0-33.44~14.04.13.16.0-34.45~14.04.13.16.0-34.47~14.04.13.16.0-36.48~14.04.13.16.0-37.49~14.04.13.16.0-37.51~14.04.13.16.0-38.52~14.04.13.16.0-39.53~14.04.13.16.0-40.54~14.04.13.16.0-41.55~14.04.13.16.0-41.57~14.04.13.16.0-43.58~14.04.13.16.0-44.59~14.04.13.16.0-45.60~14.04.13.16.0-46.62~14.04.13.16.0-48.64~14.04.13.16.0-49.65~14.04.13.16.0-50.66~14.04.13.16.0-50.67~14.04.13.16.0-51.69~14.04.13.16.0-52.71~14.04.13.16.0-53.72~14.04.13.16.0-55.74~14.04.13.16.0-56.75~14.04.13.16.0-57.77~14.04.13.16.0-59.79~14.04.13.16.0-60.80~14.04.13.16.0-62.82~14.04.13.16.0-62.83~14.04.13.16.0-67.87~14.04.1 |
3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1 |
linux-lts-vividUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1, plus listed versions 3.19.0-18.18~14.04.13.19.0-20.20~14.04.13.19.0-21.21~14.04.13.19.0-22.22~14.04.13.19.0-23.24~14.04.1 Show 18 moreShow less3.19.0-25.26~14.04.13.19.0-26.28~14.04.13.19.0-28.30~14.04.13.19.0-30.33~14.04.13.19.0-30.34~14.04.13.19.0-31.36~14.04.13.19.0-32.37~14.04.13.19.0-33.38~14.04.13.19.0-37.42~14.04.13.19.0-39.44~14.04.13.19.0-41.46~14.04.23.19.0-42.48~14.04.13.19.0-43.49~14.04.13.19.0-47.53~14.04.13.19.0-49.55~14.04.13.19.0-51.57~14.04.13.19.0-51.58~14.04.13.19.0-56.62~14.04.1 |
3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1 |
linux-lts-wilyUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1, plus listed versions 4.2.0-18.22~14.04.14.2.0-19.23~14.04.14.2.0-21.25~14.04.14.2.0-22.27~14.04.14.2.0-23.28~14.04.1 Show 5 moreShow less4.2.0-25.30~14.04.14.2.0-27.32~14.04.14.2.0-30.35~14.04.14.2.0-30.36~14.04.14.2.0-34.39~14.04.1 |
4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1 |
linuxUbuntu:14.04:LTS From an advisory covering 4 CVEs |
before 3.13.0-85.129, plus listed versions 3.11.0-12.193.12.0-1.33.12.0-2.53.12.0-2.73.12.0-3.8 Show 45 moreShow less3.12.0-3.93.12.0-4.103.12.0-4.123.12.0-5.133.12.0-7.153.13.0-1.163.13.0-2.173.13.0-3.183.13.0-4.193.13.0-5.203.13.0-6.233.13.0-7.253.13.0-7.263.13.0-8.273.13.0-8.283.13.0-10.303.13.0-11.313.13.0-12.323.13.0-13.333.13.0-14.343.13.0-15.353.13.0-16.363.13.0-17.373.13.0-18.383.13.0-19.393.13.0-19.403.13.0-20.423.13.0-21.433.13.0-22.443.13.0-23.453.13.0-24.463.13.0-24.473.13.0-27.503.13.0-29.533.13.0-30.543.13.0-30.553.13.0-32.573.13.0-33.583.13.0-34.603.13.0-35.623.13.0-36.633.13.0-37.643.13.0-39.663.13.0-40.693.13.0-41.70 |
3.13.0-85.129 |
linux-lts-wilyUbuntu:14.04:LTS From an advisory covering 6 CVEs |
before 4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1, plus listed versions 4.2.0-18.22~14.04.14.2.0-19.23~14.04.14.2.0-21.25~14.04.14.2.0-22.27~14.04.14.2.0-23.28~14.04.1 Show 5 moreShow less4.2.0-25.30~14.04.14.2.0-27.32~14.04.14.2.0-30.35~14.04.14.2.0-30.36~14.04.14.2.0-34.39~14.04.1 |
4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1 |
linux-lts-utopicUbuntu:14.04:LTS From an advisory covering 8 CVEs |
before 3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1, plus listed versions 3.16.0-25.33~14.04.23.16.0-26.35~14.04.13.16.0-28.37~14.04.13.16.0-28.38~14.04.13.16.0-29.39~14.04.1 Show 33 moreShow less3.16.0-30.40~14.04.13.16.0-31.41~14.04.13.16.0-31.43~14.04.13.16.0-33.44~14.04.13.16.0-34.45~14.04.13.16.0-34.47~14.04.13.16.0-36.48~14.04.13.16.0-37.49~14.04.13.16.0-37.51~14.04.13.16.0-38.52~14.04.13.16.0-39.53~14.04.13.16.0-40.54~14.04.13.16.0-41.55~14.04.13.16.0-41.57~14.04.13.16.0-43.58~14.04.13.16.0-44.59~14.04.13.16.0-45.60~14.04.13.16.0-46.62~14.04.13.16.0-48.64~14.04.13.16.0-49.65~14.04.13.16.0-50.66~14.04.13.16.0-50.67~14.04.13.16.0-51.69~14.04.13.16.0-52.71~14.04.13.16.0-53.72~14.04.13.16.0-55.74~14.04.13.16.0-56.75~14.04.13.16.0-57.77~14.04.13.16.0-59.79~14.04.13.16.0-60.80~14.04.13.16.0-62.82~14.04.13.16.0-62.83~14.04.13.16.0-67.87~14.04.1 |
3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1 |
linux-lts-vividUbuntu:14.04:LTS From an advisory covering 4 CVEs |
before 3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1, plus listed versions 3.19.0-18.18~14.04.13.19.0-20.20~14.04.13.19.0-21.21~14.04.13.19.0-22.22~14.04.13.19.0-23.24~14.04.1 Show 18 moreShow less3.19.0-25.26~14.04.13.19.0-26.28~14.04.13.19.0-28.30~14.04.13.19.0-30.33~14.04.13.19.0-30.34~14.04.13.19.0-31.36~14.04.13.19.0-32.37~14.04.13.19.0-33.38~14.04.13.19.0-37.42~14.04.13.19.0-39.44~14.04.13.19.0-41.46~14.04.23.19.0-42.48~14.04.13.19.0-43.49~14.04.13.19.0-47.53~14.04.13.19.0-49.55~14.04.13.19.0-51.57~14.04.13.19.0-51.58~14.04.13.19.0-56.62~14.04.1 |
3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2016-2550 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.5) in Linux Kernel, published February 24, 2016. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.51%, the 43rd percentile. Fixed in linux 4.4.4-1.
References
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1311517
oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2949-1
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/02/23/2
debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3503
git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit?id=415e3d3e90ce9e18727e8843ae343eda5a58fad6
Show 29 moreShow less
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2947-3
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2947-2
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2947-1
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2946-2
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2948-1
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2946-1
ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2948-2
github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/415e3d3e90ce9e18727e8843ae343eda5a58fad6
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-2550
github.com/advisories/GHSA-w67r-pc7p-x294
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-2550
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-2550
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/02/24/2
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2946-2
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2946-1
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2947-1
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2947-2
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2947-3
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2948-1
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-2949-1
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-2550
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-8812
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-2085
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-2847
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-7833
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-2383
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-7566
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-0723
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-2782
Left out here: 80 versions. The JSON record has them.