CVE-2016-5338

CVE-2016-5338 is a high-severity vulnerability in Qemu 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.

Key facts

Description

The (1) esp_reg_read and (2) esp_reg_write functions in hw/scsi/esp.c in QEMU allow local guest OS administrators to cause a denial of service (QEMU process crash) or execute arbitrary code on the QEMU host via vectors related to the information transfer buffer.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5338?
The (1) esp_reg_read and (2) esp_reg_write functions in hw/scsi/esp.c in QEMU allow local guest OS administrators to cause a denial of service (QEMU process crash) or execute arbitrary code on the QEMU host via vectors related to the information transfer buffer.
How severe is CVE-2016-5338?
CVE-2016-5338 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5338 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5338?
CVE-2016-5338 primarily affects Qemu. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5338?
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-2016-5338 published?
CVE-2016-5338 was published on 2016-06-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

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