How severe is CVE-2016-7144?

CVE-2016-7144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-7144 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-7144?

CVE-2016-7144 primarily affects Unrealircd. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7144?

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-2016-7144 published?

CVE-2016-7144 was published on 2017-01-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-7144

CVE-2016-7144 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unrealircd with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (67th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Unrealircd
Published: 2017-01-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The m_authenticate function in modules/m_sasl.c in UnrealIRCd before 3.2.10.7 and 4.x before 4.0.6 allows remote attackers to spoof certificate fingerprints and consequently log in as another user via a crafted AUTHENTICATE parameter.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-7144?: The m_authenticate function in modules/m_sasl.c in UnrealIRCd before 3.2.10.7 and 4.x before 4.0.6 allows remote attackers to spoof certificate fingerprints and consequently log in as another user via a crafted AUTHENTICATE parameter.
How severe is CVE-2016-7144?: CVE-2016-7144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-7144 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-7144?: CVE-2016-7144 primarily affects Unrealircd. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-7144?: 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-2016-7144 published?: CVE-2016-7144 was published on 2017-01-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:unrealircd:unrealircd:4.0.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Unrealircd

CVE-2023-50784 — High (CVSS 7.5): A buffer overflow in websockets in UnrealIRCd 6.1.0 through 6.1.3 before 6.1.4 allows an unauthenticated remote…
CVE-2010-2075 — High (CVSS 7.5): UnrealIRCd 3.2.8.1, as distributed on certain mirror sites from November 2009 through June 2010, contains an externally…
CVE-2009-4893 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): Buffer overflow in UnrealIRCd 3.2beta11 through 3.2.8, when allow::options::noident is enabled, allows remote attackers…
CVE-2017-13649 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): UnrealIRCd 4.0.13 and earlier creates a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow…
CVE-2013-7384 — Medium (CVSS 5.0): UnrealIRCd 3.2.10 before 3.2.10.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and…
CVE-2013-6413 — Medium (CVSS 5.0): Use-after-free vulnerability in UnrealIRCd 3.2.10 before 3.2.10.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service…

All CVEs affecting Unrealircd →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →