How severe is CVE-2016-6187?

CVE-2016-6187 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-2016-6187 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6187?

CVE-2016-6187 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6187?

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-2016-6187 published?

CVE-2016-6187 was published on 2016-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6187

CVE-2016-6187 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (82nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2016-08-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The apparmor_setprocattr function in security/apparmor/lsm.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.5 does not validate the buffer size, which allows local users to gain privileges by triggering an AppArmor setprocattr hook.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6187?: The apparmor_setprocattr function in security/apparmor/lsm.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.5 does not validate the buffer size, which allows local users to gain privileges by triggering an AppArmor setprocattr hook.
How severe is CVE-2016-6187?: CVE-2016-6187 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-2016-6187 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (82nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6187?: CVE-2016-6187 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6187?: 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-2016-6187 published?: CVE-2016-6187 was published on 2016-08-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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