How severe is CVE-2016-6890?

CVE-2016-6890 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-2016-6890 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-6890?

CVE-2016-6890 affects Matrixssl. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6890?

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-2016-6890 published?

CVE-2016-6890 was published on 2017-01-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-6890

CVE-2016-6890 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Matrixssl 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (93rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Matrixssl
Published: 2017-01-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in MatrixSSL before 3.8.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Subject Alt Name in an X.509 certificate.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-6890?: Heap-based buffer overflow in MatrixSSL before 3.8.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Subject Alt Name in an X.509 certificate.
How severe is CVE-2016-6890?: CVE-2016-6890 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-2016-6890 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-6890?: CVE-2016-6890 affects Matrixssl. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6890?: 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-2016-6890 published?: CVE-2016-6890 was published on 2017-01-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:matrixssl:matrixssl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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