CVE-2016-2381

CVE-2016-2381 is a high-severity vulnerability in Perl with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
• CVSS v2: 5.0
• EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (95th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-20
• Affected product: Perl
• Published: 2016-04-08
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Perl might allow context-dependent attackers to bypass the taint protection mechanism in a child process via duplicate environment variables in envp.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2381?

Perl might allow context-dependent attackers to bypass the taint protection mechanism in a child process via duplicate environment variables in envp.

How severe is CVE-2016-2381?

CVE-2016-2381 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-2381 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2381?

CVE-2016-2381 primarily affects Perl. In total, 19 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2381?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-2381 published?

CVE-2016-2381 was published on 2016-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-03/msg00112.html
• http://perl5.git.perl.org/perl.git/commitdiff/ae37b791a73a9e78dedb89fb2429d2628cf58076
• http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3501
• http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/perl/porters/326387
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/83802
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2916-1
• https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05240731
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-75
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html

Affected products (19)

• cpe:2.3:a:perl:perl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_billing_and_revenue_management:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:configuration_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:configuration_manager:12.1.2.0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:database_server:11.2.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:database_server:12.1.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:database_server:12.2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:database_server:18c:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:database_server:19c:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_manager_base_platform:13.2.0.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_manager_base_platform:13.3.0.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:timesten_in-memory_database:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:oracle:solaris:11.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:13.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:15.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

• 182.93.50.90 (ipv4-addr)
• 103.165.139.145 (ipv4-addr)
• 121.40.151.192 (ipv4-addr)
• 40.83.182.122 (ipv4-addr)