How severe is CVE-2016-3885?

CVE-2016-3885 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-3885 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-3885?

CVE-2016-3885 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-3885?

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-2016-3885 published?

CVE-2016-3885 was published on 2016-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-3885

CVE-2016-3885 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Google Android
Published: 2016-09-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

debuggerd/debuggerd.cpp in Debuggerd in Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x before 2016-09-01, and 7.0 before 2016-09-01 mishandles the interaction between PTRACE_ATTACH operations and thread exits, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 29555636.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-3885?: debuggerd/debuggerd.cpp in Debuggerd in Android 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, 6.x before 2016-09-01, and 7.0 before 2016-09-01 mishandles the interaction between PTRACE_ATTACH operations and thread exits, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka internal bug 29555636.
How severe is CVE-2016-3885?: CVE-2016-3885 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-3885 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-3885?: CVE-2016-3885 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-3885?: 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-2016-3885 published?: CVE-2016-3885 was published on 2016-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:o:google:android:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:5.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:5.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:6.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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