CVE-2016-5038

The dwarf_get_macro_startend_file function in dwarf_macro5.c in libdwarf before 20160923 allows...

7.5 HighFix available

The dwarf_get_macro_startend_file function in dwarf_macro5.c in libdwarf before 20160923 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted string offset for .debug_str.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: None
Integrity: None
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

4.38%Up 3.2 points since Feb 4, 2022

What each source reports

NVD Score used 7.5

Record: CVE-2016-5038
CVSS 3.1: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 5.0 MediumAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
Weakness: CWE-125
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

Record: CVE-2016-5038
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2016-5991 No score

Record: EUVD-2016-5991
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-w7w4-26x2-q6cm 7.5

The dwarf_get_macro_startend_file function in dwarf_macro5.c in libdwarf before 20160923 allows...

Record: GHSA-w7w4-26x2-q6cm
CVSS 3.1: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness: CWE-125
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 7.5

Record: CVE-2016-5038
CVSS 3.1: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2016-5038 7.5

Record: DEBIAN-CVE-2016-5038
CVSS 3.1: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2016-5038 7.5

Record: UBUNTU-CVE-2016-5038
CVSS 3.1: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS 3.0: 7.5 HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

libdwarf project libdwarf

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`dwarfutils` Debian:12	before 20160507+git20160523.9086738-1	20160507+git20160523.9086738-1
`dwarfutils` Debian:13	before 20160507+git20160523.9086738-1	20160507+git20160523.9086738-1
`dwarfutils` Debian:14	before 20160507+git20160523.9086738-1	20160507+git20160523.9086738-1
`dwarfutils` Debian:7	before 20120410-2+deb7u2, plus listed versions 20120410-220120410-2+deb7u1	20120410-2+deb7u2
`dwarfutils` Ubuntu:14.04:LTS	before 20120410-2+deb7u2build0.14.04.1, plus listed versions 20120410-2	20120410-2+deb7u2build0.14.04.1
`dwarfutils` Ubuntu:16.04:LTS	before 20120410-2+deb7u2build0.16.04.1, plus listed versions 20120410-2	20120410-2+deb7u2build0.16.04.1

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	aliases	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2016-5038 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Libdwarf Project Libdwarf, published October 19, 2016. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.38%, the 91st percentile. Fixed in dwarfutils 20160507+git20160523.9086738-1.