CVE-2016-7042
MEDIUMDescription
The proc_keys_show function in security/keys/proc.c in the Linux kernel through 4.8.2, when the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) stack protector is enabled, uses an incorrect buffer size for certain timeout data, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (stack memory corruption and panic) by reading the /proc/keys file.
How to fix
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Low risk: more likely to be exploited than 31% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-119 (Buffer Overflow) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-4966 | Critical | 9.4 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2017-11882 | High | 7.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2020-0796 | Critical | 10.0 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2008-4250 | Critical | 9.8 | 99% | KEV | - |
| CVE-2017-15944 | Critical | 9.8 | 98% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2015-0014 | High | 10.0 | 97% | - | - |
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Markdown
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Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-05-06.