How severe is CVE-2016-6656?

CVE-2016-6656 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-6656 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6656?

CVE-2016-6656 affects Pivotal Software Greenplum. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6656?

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-2016-6656 published?

CVE-2016-6656 was published on 2016-12-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6656

CVE-2016-6656 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pivotal Software Greenplum with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. 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-77.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-77
Affected product: Pivotal Software Greenplum
Published: 2016-12-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in Pivotal Greenplum before 4.3.10.0. Creation of external tables using GPHDFS protocol has a vulnerability whereby arbitrary commands can be injected into the system. In order to exploit this vulnerability the user must have superuser 'gpadmin' access to the system or have been granted GPHDFS protocol permissions in order to create a GPHDFS external table.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6656?: An issue was discovered in Pivotal Greenplum before 4.3.10.0. Creation of external tables using GPHDFS protocol has a vulnerability whereby arbitrary commands can be injected into the system. In order to exploit this vulnerability the user must have superuser 'gpadmin' access to the system or have been granted GPHDFS protocol permissions in order to create a GPHDFS external table.
How severe is CVE-2016-6656?: CVE-2016-6656 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-6656 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6656?: CVE-2016-6656 affects Pivotal Software Greenplum. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6656?: 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-2016-6656 published?: CVE-2016-6656 was published on 2016-12-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:pivotal_software:greenplum:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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