How severe is CVE-2016-4332?

CVE-2016-4332 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.6, 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-2016-4332 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-4332?

CVE-2016-4332 affects Hdfgroup Hdf5. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-4332?

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-2016-4332 published?

CVE-2016-4332 was published on 2016-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-4332

CVE-2016-4332 is a high-severity vulnerability in Hdfgroup Hdf5 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.6. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.6)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Hdfgroup Hdf5
Published: 2016-11-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The library's failure to check if certain message types support a particular flag, the HDF5 1.8.16 library will cast the structure to an alternative structure and then assign to fields that aren't supported by the message type and the library will write outside the bounds of the heap buffer. This can lead to code execution under the context of the library.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-4332?: The library's failure to check if certain message types support a particular flag, the HDF5 1.8.16 library will cast the structure to an alternative structure and then assign to fields that aren't supported by the message type and the library will write outside the bounds of the heap buffer. This can lead to code execution under the context of the library.
How severe is CVE-2016-4332?: CVE-2016-4332 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.6, 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-2016-4332 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-4332?: CVE-2016-4332 affects Hdfgroup Hdf5. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-4332?: 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-2016-4332 published?: CVE-2016-4332 was published on 2016-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:hdfgroup:hdf5:1.8.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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