How severe is CVE-2016-4422?

CVE-2016-4422 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-4422 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-4422?

CVE-2016-4422 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-4422?

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

When was CVE-2016-4422 published?

CVE-2016-4422 was published on 2016-05-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-4422

CVE-2016-4422 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (76th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Debian Debian Linux
Published: 2016-05-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The pam_sm_authenticate function in pam_sshauth.c in libpam-sshauth might allow context-dependent attackers to bypass authentication or gain privileges via a system user account.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-4422?: The pam_sm_authenticate function in pam_sshauth.c in libpam-sshauth might allow context-dependent attackers to bypass authentication or gain privileges via a system user account.
How severe is CVE-2016-4422?: CVE-2016-4422 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-4422 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-4422?: CVE-2016-4422 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-4422?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-4422 published?: CVE-2016-4422 was published on 2016-05-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:libpam-sshauth_project:libpam-sshauth:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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