How severe is CVE-2016-6590?

CVE-2016-6590 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-6590 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6590?

CVE-2016-6590 primarily affects Symantec Encryption Desktop. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6590?

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-2016-6590 published?

CVE-2016-6590 was published on 2020-01-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6590

CVE-2016-6590 is a high-severity vulnerability in Symantec Encryption 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Symantec Encryption Desktop
Published: 2020-01-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists when loading DLLs during boot up and reboot in Symantec IT Management Suite 8.0 prior to 8.0 HF4 and Suite 7.6 prior to 7.6 HF7, Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 3.1 prior to 3.1 MP4, Symantec Endpoint Virtualization 7.x prior to 7.6 HF7, and Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.x prior to 10.4.1, which could let a local malicious user execute arbitrary code.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6590?: A privilege escalation vulnerability exists when loading DLLs during boot up and reboot in Symantec IT Management Suite 8.0 prior to 8.0 HF4 and Suite 7.6 prior to 7.6 HF7, Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 3.1 prior to 3.1 MP4, Symantec Endpoint Virtualization 7.x prior to 7.6 HF7, and Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.x prior to 10.4.1, which could let a local malicious user execute arbitrary code.
How severe is CVE-2016-6590?: CVE-2016-6590 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-6590 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6590?: CVE-2016-6590 primarily affects Symantec Encryption Desktop. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6590?: 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-2016-6590 published?: CVE-2016-6590 was published on 2020-01-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:symantec:encryption_desktop:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:endpoint_encryption:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:endpoint_encryption:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:ghost_solution_suite:3.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:ghost_solution_suite:3.1:maintenance_pack1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:ghost_solution_suite:3.1:maintenance_pack2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:ghost_solution_suite:3.1:maintenance_pack3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:it_management_suite:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:symantec:it_management_suite:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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