Every CVE Search/ Get API key

CVE-2016-2550

The Linux kernel before 4.5 allows local users to bypass file-descriptor limits and cause a...

5.5 MediumFix available

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

0.51%Down 1.0 points since Feb 4, 2022
90%50%10%1%

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 MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS 2.0
4.9 MediumAV: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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS: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

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
linux
Debian:12
before 4.4.4-1
4.4.4-1
linux
Debian:13
before 4.4.4-1
4.4.4-1
linux
Debian:14
before 4.4.4-1
4.4.4-1
linux
Debian: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 less
3.2.46-1+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
linux
Debian: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 less
3.16.7-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
linux
Ubuntu: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 less
3.12.0-3.93.12.0-4.103.12.0-4.123.12.0-5.133.12.0-7.153.13.0-1.163.13.0-2.173.13.0-3.183.13.0-4.193.13.0-5.203.13.0-6.233.13.0-7.253.13.0-7.263.13.0-8.273.13.0-8.283.13.0-10.303.13.0-11.313.13.0-12.323.13.0-13.333.13.0-14.343.13.0-15.353.13.0-16.363.13.0-17.373.13.0-18.383.13.0-19.393.13.0-19.403.13.0-20.423.13.0-21.433.13.0-22.443.13.0-23.453.13.0-24.463.13.0-24.473.13.0-27.503.13.0-29.533.13.0-30.543.13.0-30.553.13.0-32.573.13.0-33.583.13.0-34.603.13.0-35.623.13.0-36.633.13.0-37.643.13.0-39.663.13.0-40.693.13.0-41.70
3.13.0-85.129
linux-lts-utopic
Ubuntu: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 less
3.16.0-30.40~14.04.13.16.0-31.41~14.04.13.16.0-31.43~14.04.13.16.0-33.44~14.04.13.16.0-34.45~14.04.13.16.0-34.47~14.04.13.16.0-36.48~14.04.13.16.0-37.49~14.04.13.16.0-37.51~14.04.13.16.0-38.52~14.04.13.16.0-39.53~14.04.13.16.0-40.54~14.04.13.16.0-41.55~14.04.13.16.0-41.57~14.04.13.16.0-43.58~14.04.13.16.0-44.59~14.04.13.16.0-45.60~14.04.13.16.0-46.62~14.04.13.16.0-48.64~14.04.13.16.0-49.65~14.04.13.16.0-50.66~14.04.13.16.0-50.67~14.04.13.16.0-51.69~14.04.13.16.0-52.71~14.04.13.16.0-53.72~14.04.13.16.0-55.74~14.04.13.16.0-56.75~14.04.13.16.0-57.77~14.04.13.16.0-59.79~14.04.13.16.0-60.80~14.04.13.16.0-62.82~14.04.13.16.0-62.83~14.04.13.16.0-67.87~14.04.1
3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1
linux-lts-vivid
Ubuntu: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 less
3.19.0-25.26~14.04.13.19.0-26.28~14.04.13.19.0-28.30~14.04.13.19.0-30.33~14.04.13.19.0-30.34~14.04.13.19.0-31.36~14.04.13.19.0-32.37~14.04.13.19.0-33.38~14.04.13.19.0-37.42~14.04.13.19.0-39.44~14.04.13.19.0-41.46~14.04.23.19.0-42.48~14.04.13.19.0-43.49~14.04.13.19.0-47.53~14.04.13.19.0-49.55~14.04.13.19.0-51.57~14.04.13.19.0-51.58~14.04.13.19.0-56.62~14.04.1
3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1
linux-lts-wily
Ubuntu: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 less
4.2.0-25.30~14.04.14.2.0-27.32~14.04.14.2.0-30.35~14.04.14.2.0-30.36~14.04.14.2.0-34.39~14.04.1
4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1
linux
Ubuntu: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 less
3.12.0-3.93.12.0-4.103.12.0-4.123.12.0-5.133.12.0-7.153.13.0-1.163.13.0-2.173.13.0-3.183.13.0-4.193.13.0-5.203.13.0-6.233.13.0-7.253.13.0-7.263.13.0-8.273.13.0-8.283.13.0-10.303.13.0-11.313.13.0-12.323.13.0-13.333.13.0-14.343.13.0-15.353.13.0-16.363.13.0-17.373.13.0-18.383.13.0-19.393.13.0-19.403.13.0-20.423.13.0-21.433.13.0-22.443.13.0-23.453.13.0-24.463.13.0-24.473.13.0-27.503.13.0-29.533.13.0-30.543.13.0-30.553.13.0-32.573.13.0-33.583.13.0-34.603.13.0-35.623.13.0-36.633.13.0-37.643.13.0-39.663.13.0-40.693.13.0-41.70
3.13.0-85.129
linux-lts-wily
Ubuntu: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 less
4.2.0-25.30~14.04.14.2.0-27.32~14.04.14.2.0-30.35~14.04.14.2.0-30.36~14.04.14.2.0-34.39~14.04.1
4.2.0-35.40~14.04.1
linux-lts-utopic
Ubuntu: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 less
3.16.0-30.40~14.04.13.16.0-31.41~14.04.13.16.0-31.43~14.04.13.16.0-33.44~14.04.13.16.0-34.45~14.04.13.16.0-34.47~14.04.13.16.0-36.48~14.04.13.16.0-37.49~14.04.13.16.0-37.51~14.04.13.16.0-38.52~14.04.13.16.0-39.53~14.04.13.16.0-40.54~14.04.13.16.0-41.55~14.04.13.16.0-41.57~14.04.13.16.0-43.58~14.04.13.16.0-44.59~14.04.13.16.0-45.60~14.04.13.16.0-46.62~14.04.13.16.0-48.64~14.04.13.16.0-49.65~14.04.13.16.0-50.66~14.04.13.16.0-50.67~14.04.13.16.0-51.69~14.04.13.16.0-52.71~14.04.13.16.0-53.72~14.04.13.16.0-55.74~14.04.13.16.0-56.75~14.04.13.16.0-57.77~14.04.13.16.0-59.79~14.04.13.16.0-60.80~14.04.13.16.0-62.82~14.04.13.16.0-62.83~14.04.13.16.0-67.87~14.04.1
3.16.0-69.89~14.04.1
linux-lts-vivid
Ubuntu: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 less
3.19.0-25.26~14.04.13.19.0-26.28~14.04.13.19.0-28.30~14.04.13.19.0-30.33~14.04.13.19.0-30.34~14.04.13.19.0-31.36~14.04.13.19.0-32.37~14.04.13.19.0-33.38~14.04.13.19.0-37.42~14.04.13.19.0-39.44~14.04.13.19.0-41.46~14.04.23.19.0-42.48~14.04.13.19.0-43.49~14.04.13.19.0-47.53~14.04.13.19.0-49.55~14.04.13.19.0-51.57~14.04.13.19.0-51.58~14.04.13.19.0-56.62~14.04.1
3.19.0-58.64~14.04.1

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, facts
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE 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

Show 29 moreShow less
This page doesn't list everything

Left out here: 80 versions. The JSON record has them.

MoveEnter Open