How severe is CVE-2016-5759?

CVE-2016-5759 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-2016-5759 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5759?

CVE-2016-5759 primarily affects Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5759?

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-2016-5759 published?

CVE-2016-5759 was published on 2017-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5759

CVE-2016-5759 is a high-severity vulnerability in Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 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. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (30th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop
Published: 2017-09-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The mkdumprd script called "dracut" in the current working directory "." allows local users to trick the administrator into executing code as root.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5759?: The mkdumprd script called "dracut" in the current working directory "." allows local users to trick the administrator into executing code as root.
How severe is CVE-2016-5759?: CVE-2016-5759 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-2016-5759 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5759?: CVE-2016-5759 primarily affects Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5759?: 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-2016-5759 published?: CVE-2016-5759 was published on 2017-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_desktop:12.0:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:novell:suse_linux_enterprise_server:12.0:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:42.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop

CVE-2015-2740 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in the nsXMLHttpRequest::AppendToResponseText function in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0, Firefox ESR 31.x…
CVE-2015-2739 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The ArrayBufferBuilder::append function in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0, Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.8 and 38.x before…
CVE-2015-2733 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Use-after-free vulnerability in the CanonicalizeXPCOMParticipant function in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0 and Firefox…
CVE-2015-2726 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0 allow remote attackers to…
CVE-2015-2725 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0, Firefox ESR 38.x before…
CVE-2015-2724 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 39.0, Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.8…

All CVEs affecting Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop →

Other CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-48316 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48277 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could…
CVE-2026-48055 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Streambert is a cross-platform Electron Desktop App to stream and download any video media. In versions 2.4.0 and…
CVE-2026-34910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A malicious actor with access to the network could exploit an Improper Input Validation vulnerability found in UniFi OS…
CVE-2026-33587 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Lack of user input sanitisation in Open Notebook v1.8.3 allows the application user to execute Python code (and…

Browse all CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) vulnerabilities →