How severe is CVE-2016-3176?

CVE-2016-3176 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2016-3176 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (55th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3176?

CVE-2016-3176 primarily affects Saltstack Salt. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3176?

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

When was CVE-2016-3176 published?

CVE-2016-3176 was published on 2017-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3176

CVE-2016-3176 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Saltstack Salt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.6. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.6)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (55th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Saltstack Salt
Published: 2017-01-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Salt before 2015.5.10 and 2015.8.x before 2015.8.8, when PAM external authentication is enabled, allows attackers to bypass the configured authentication service by passing an alternate service with a command sent to LocalClient.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3176?: Salt before 2015.5.10 and 2015.8.x before 2015.8.8, when PAM external authentication is enabled, allows attackers to bypass the configured authentication service by passing an alternate service with a command sent to LocalClient.
How severe is CVE-2016-3176?: CVE-2016-3176 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.6, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2016-3176 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (55th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3176?: CVE-2016-3176 primarily affects Saltstack Salt. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3176?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-3176 published?: CVE-2016-3176 was published on 2017-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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