#VU27 Memory corruption in Oracle Linux and Oracle VM Server for x86 - CVE-2016-4997

Vulnerability identifier: #VU27

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-4997

CWE-ID: CWE-119

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Oracle Linux
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Oracle VM Server for x86
Server applications / Other server solutions

Vendor: Oracle

Description
The vulnerability allows a local user to obtain elevated privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a memory corruption error in the IPT_SO_SET_REPLACE compat_setsockopt() function.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges.

Mitigation
The vendor has issued a fix (3.14.73, 4.4.14, 4.6.3).

Vulnerable software versions

Oracle Linux: 5 - 7

Oracle VM Server for x86: 3.2

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External links
https://www.kernel.org/
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.html
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinoct2016-3090547.html
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2016-3090545.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, a fully functional exploit for this vulnerability is available.