How severe is CVE-2016-8686?

CVE-2016-8686 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-2016-8686 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-8686?

CVE-2016-8686 affects Potrace Project Potrace. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-8686?

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-2016-8686 published?

CVE-2016-8686 was published on 2017-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-8686

CVE-2016-8686 is a high-severity vulnerability in Potrace Project Potrace 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: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Potrace Project Potrace
Published: 2017-01-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The bm_new function in bitmap.h in potrace 1.13 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted image, which triggers a memory allocation failure.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-8686?: The bm_new function in bitmap.h in potrace 1.13 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted image, which triggers a memory allocation failure.
How severe is CVE-2016-8686?: CVE-2016-8686 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-2016-8686 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-8686?: CVE-2016-8686 affects Potrace Project Potrace. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-8686?: 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-2016-8686 published?: CVE-2016-8686 was published on 2017-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:potrace_project:potrace:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Potrace Project Potrace

CVE-2017-7263 — High (CVSS 7.8): The bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in Potrace 1.14 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service…
CVE-2016-8703 — High (CVSS 7.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote…
CVE-2016-8702 — High (CVSS 7.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote…
CVE-2016-8701 — High (CVSS 7.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote…
CVE-2016-8700 — High (CVSS 7.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote…
CVE-2016-8699 — High (CVSS 7.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote…

All CVEs affecting Potrace Project Potrace →

Other CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-2778 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Sandbox escape due to incorrect boundary conditions in the DOM: Core & HTML component. This vulnerability was fixed in…
CVE-2026-2776 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Sandbox escape due to incorrect boundary conditions in the Telemetry component in External Software. This vulnerability…
CVE-2025-1866 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerability in warmcat libwebsockets allows…
CVE-2022-27625 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability regarding improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer is found in the…
CVE-2022-27624 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability regarding improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer is found in the…
CVE-2020-11896 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Treck TCP/IP stack before 6.0.1.66 allows Remote Code Execution, related to IPv4 tunneling.

Browse all CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities →