How severe is CVE-2016-2531?

CVE-2016-2531 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-2531 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2531?

CVE-2016-2531 primarily affects Wireshark. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2531?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2016-2531 published?

CVE-2016-2531 was published on 2016-02-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2531

CVE-2016-2531 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wireshark with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9. 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.9)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Wireshark
Published: 2016-02-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Off-by-one error in epan/dissectors/packet-rsl.c in the RSL dissector in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.10 and 2.0.x before 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted packet that triggers a 0xff tag value, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-2530.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2531?: Off-by-one error in epan/dissectors/packet-rsl.c in the RSL dissector in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.10 and 2.0.x before 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted packet that triggers a 0xff tag value, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-2530.
How severe is CVE-2016-2531?: CVE-2016-2531 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-2531 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2531?: CVE-2016-2531 primarily affects Wireshark. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2531?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-2531 published?: CVE-2016-2531 was published on 2016-02-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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