CVE-2016-4021
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to...
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
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
What each source reports
NVD Score used
7.5
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
CVE-2016-4021- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 7.8 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-399
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
CVE-2016-4021- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2016-5027 No score
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
EUVD-2016-5027- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-5xfq-6ph6-q9hw
7.5
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to...
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
GHSA-5xfq-6ph6-q9hw- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.5
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
CVE-2016-4021- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2016-4021
7.5
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2016-4021- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2016-4021
7.5
The read_binary function in buffer.c in pgpdump before 0.30 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via crafted input, as demonstrated by the \xa3\x03 string.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2016-4021- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2016-0157 No score
Updated pgpdump packages fix security vulnerability
When pgpdump is run on specially crafted input, a denial of service condition occurs. The program runs with 100% CPU usage for an indefinite amount of time. A remote attacker is able to create a specially crafted input that is leading to CPU resource consumption resulting in denial of service (CVE-2016-4021).
- Record
MGASA-2016-0157- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
pgpdumpDebian:12 |
before 0.31-0.1 | 0.31-0.1 |
pgpdumpDebian:13 |
before 0.31-0.1 | 0.31-0.1 |
pgpdumpDebian:14 |
before 0.31-0.1 | 0.31-0.1 |
pgpdumpDebian:7 |
before 0.27-1+deb7u1, plus listed versions 0.27-1 |
0.27-1+deb7u1 |
pgpdumpMageia:5 |
before 0.30-1.mga5 | 0.30-1.mga5 |
pgpdumpUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 0.28-1+deb8u1build0.14.04.1, plus listed versions 0.27-10.28-1 |
0.28-1+deb8u1build0.14.04.1 |
pgpdumpUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 0.28-10.29-1 |
None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 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-2016-4021 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Pgpdump Project Pgpdump, published April 29, 2016. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.82%, the 78th percentile. Fixed in pgpdump 0.31-0.1.
References
seclists.org/bugtraq/2016/Apr/99
syss.de/fileadmin/dokumente/Publikationen/Advisories/SYSS-2016-030.txt
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-May/184689.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-May/183750.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2016-May/184617.html
github.com/kazu-yamamoto/pgpdump/pull/16
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nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4021
github.com/advisories/GHSA-5xfq-6ph6-q9hw
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-4021
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2016-0157.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=18262
github.com/kazu-yamamoto/pgpdump/blob/master/CHANGES
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-4021
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-4021