#VU39766 Out-of-bounds read in pacman - CVE-2016-5434

Vulnerability identifier: #VU39766

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-5434

CWE-ID: CWE-125

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
pacman
Client/Desktop applications / Software for system administration

Vendor: Arch Linux

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

libalpm, as used in pacman 5.0.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop or out-of-bounds read) via a crafted signature file.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

pacman: 5.0.1

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External links
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/11/4
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/14/6
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/04/21/9
https://lists.archlinux.org/pipermail/pacman-dev/2016-June/021148.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.