How severe is CVE-2016-5688?

CVE-2016-5688 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-5688 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5688?

CVE-2016-5688 primarily affects Imagemagick. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5688?

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-2016-5688 published?

CVE-2016-5688 was published on 2016-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5688

CVE-2016-5688 is a high-severity vulnerability in Imagemagick with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Imagemagick
Published: 2016-12-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The WPG parser in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-4 and 7.x before 7.0.1-5, when a memory limit is set, allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors related to the SetImageExtent return-value check, which trigger (1) a heap-based buffer overflow in the SetPixelIndex function or an invalid write operation in the (2) ScaleCharToQuantum or (3) SetPixelIndex functions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5688?: The WPG parser in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-4 and 7.x before 7.0.1-5, when a memory limit is set, allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors related to the SetImageExtent return-value check, which trigger (1) a heap-based buffer overflow in the SetPixelIndex function or an invalid write operation in the (2) ScaleCharToQuantum or (3) SetPixelIndex functions.
How severe is CVE-2016-5688?: CVE-2016-5688 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5688 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5688?: CVE-2016-5688 primarily affects Imagemagick. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5688?: 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-2016-5688 published?: CVE-2016-5688 was published on 2016-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:o:oracle:solaris:11.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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