How severe is CVE-2016-5689?

CVE-2016-5689 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-2016-5689 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5689?

CVE-2016-5689 primarily affects Imagemagick. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5689?

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-2016-5689 published?

CVE-2016-5689 was published on 2016-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5689

CVE-2016-5689 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Imagemagick 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Imagemagick
Published: 2016-12-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The DCM reader in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-5 and 7.x before 7.0.1-7 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging lack of NULL pointer checks.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5689?: The DCM reader in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-5 and 7.x before 7.0.1-7 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging lack of NULL pointer checks.
How severe is CVE-2016-5689?: CVE-2016-5689 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-2016-5689 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5689?: CVE-2016-5689 primarily affects Imagemagick. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5689?: 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-2016-5689 published?: CVE-2016-5689 was published on 2016-12-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:imagemagick:imagemagick:7.0.1-6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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