How severe is CVE-2016-8689?

CVE-2016-8689 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-8689 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-8689?

CVE-2016-8689 primarily affects Libarchive. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-8689?

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-2016-8689 published?

CVE-2016-8689 was published on 2017-02-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-8689

CVE-2016-8689 is a high-severity vulnerability in Libarchive with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-125.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (87th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-125
Affected product: Libarchive
Published: 2017-02-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The read_Header function in archive_read_support_format_7zip.c in libarchive 3.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via multiple EmptyStream attributes in a header in a 7zip archive.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-8689?: The read_Header function in archive_read_support_format_7zip.c in libarchive 3.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via multiple EmptyStream attributes in a header in a 7zip archive.
How severe is CVE-2016-8689?: CVE-2016-8689 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-8689 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-8689?: CVE-2016-8689 primarily affects Libarchive. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-8689?: 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-2016-8689 published?: CVE-2016-8689 was published on 2017-02-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:libarchive:libarchive:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:42.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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