How severe is CVE-2016-5357?

CVE-2016-5357 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-5357 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5357?

CVE-2016-5357 primarily affects Wireshark. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5357?

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

When was CVE-2016-5357 published?

CVE-2016-5357 was published on 2016-08-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5357

CVE-2016-5357 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wireshark with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9. 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: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.9)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Wireshark
Published: 2016-08-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

wiretap/netscreen.c in the NetScreen file parser in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.12 and 2.x before 2.0.4 mishandles sscanf unsigned-integer processing, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5357?: wiretap/netscreen.c in the NetScreen file parser in Wireshark 1.12.x before 1.12.12 and 2.x before 2.0.4 mishandles sscanf unsigned-integer processing, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file.
How severe is CVE-2016-5357?: CVE-2016-5357 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5357 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5357?: CVE-2016-5357 primarily affects Wireshark. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5357?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-5357 published?: CVE-2016-5357 was published on 2016-08-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:1.12.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wireshark:wireshark:2.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:oracle:solaris:11.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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