Detections
Analytics

Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2016-8637

high Nessus Plugin ID 252159

Synopsis

The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed with a vulnerability that the vendor indicates will not be patched.

Description

The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied patch available.

 - A local information disclosure issue was found in dracut before 045 when generating initramfs images with world-readable permissions when 'early cpio' is used, such as when including microcode updates. Local attacker can use this to obtain sensitive information from these files, such as encryption keys or credentials. (CVE-2016-8637)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.

Solution

There is no known solution at this time.

See Also

https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8637

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 252159

File Name: unpatched_CVE_2016_8637.nasl

Version: 1.1

Type: local

Agent: unix

Family: Misc.

Published: 8/19/2025

Updated: 8/19/2025

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.7

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Low

Base Score: 2.1

Temporal Score: 1.6

Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2016-8637

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.8

Temporal Score: 7

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:dracut, cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:-:lts

Required KB Items: Host/cpu, Host/local_checks_enabled, global_settings/vendor_unpatched, Host/OS/identifier

Exploit Available: true

Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Vulnerability Publication Date: 11/7/2016

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2016-8637