CVE-2016-4971Wget Vulnerability
GNU wget before 1.18 allows remote servers to write to arbitrary files by redirecting a request from HTTP to a crafted FTP resource.
Published Jun 30, 2016 · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2016-4971, DEBIAN-CVE-2016-4971, DLA-536-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2358-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-4971, USN-3012-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-4971 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Wget (Gnu), Ubuntu Linux (Canonical), Solaris (Oracle) and 5 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. A public exploit is reported by tracking sources, but no code link is listed yet.
- EPSS estimates a 46% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Wget 1.18, Wget 0:1.14-13.el7, Wget 1.11.4-1.32.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
46%
Higher than 98.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
55/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
4
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://security.alpinelinux.org/vuln/CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryhttps://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryRHSA-2016:2587
Description
GNU wget before 1.18 allows remote servers to write to arbitrary files by redirecting a request from HTTP to a crafted FTP resource.
Affected Products
62 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| WgetGnu | See advisory | 1.18 |
| Ubuntu LinuxCanonical | 12.04, 14.04, 15.10, 16.04 | n/a |
| SolarisOracle | 10, 11.3 | n/a |
| PAN-OSPaloaltonetworks | See advisory | 6.1.16 |
| rootio-wgetrootio | See advisory | 1.18-1 |
Patched Releases
Wget
1.18, 0:1.14-13.el7, 1.11.4-1.32.1, 1.13.4-3+deb7u3, 1.14-10.3, 1.14-13.el7, 1.14-4.1, 1.15-1ubuntu1.14.04.2, 1.16-4.7.1, 1.17.1-1ubuntu1.1, 1.17.1-r1, 1.18-1, 1.18-1.18.amzn1, 1.18-2.3
PAN-OS
6.1.16
rootio-wget
1.18-1
wget-debuginfo
1.16-4.7.1
wget-debugsource
1.16-4.7.1
wget-openssl1
1.11.4-1.32.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jun 30, 2016
Last updated
Oct 15, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-73 External Control of File Name or Path
References
- advisorysecurity.alpinelinux.org · CVE-2016-4971
- advisorysecurity.paloaltonetworks.com · CVE-2016-4971
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2016-4971
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2016-4971
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
FAQ
Common Questions.
GNU wget before 1.18 allows remote servers to write to arbitrary files by redirecting a request from HTTP to a crafted FTP resource.
Affected: Wget (Gnu); Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) versions 12.04, 14.04, 15.10, 16.04; Solaris (Oracle) versions 10, 11.3, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
A public exploit is reported by tracking sources, but no code link is listed yet.
Fixed versions are available, including Wget 1.18, Wget 0:1.14-13.el7, Wget 1.11.4-1.32.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2016-4971 On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.
Request A Demo