How severe is CVE-2016-9888?

CVE-2016-9888 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-9888 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-9888?

CVE-2016-9888 affects Gnome Libgsf. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-9888?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2016-9888 published?

CVE-2016-9888 was published on 2016-12-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-9888

CVE-2016-9888 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Gnome Libgsf with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Gnome Libgsf
Published: 2016-12-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library before 1.14.41 can be exploited to trigger a Null pointer dereference and subsequently cause a crash via a crafted TAR file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-9888?: An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library before 1.14.41 can be exploited to trigger a Null pointer dereference and subsequently cause a crash via a crafted TAR file.
How severe is CVE-2016-9888?: CVE-2016-9888 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-9888 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-9888?: CVE-2016-9888 affects Gnome Libgsf. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-9888?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2016-9888 published?: CVE-2016-9888 was published on 2016-12-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:gnome:libgsf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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