CVE-2016-6255Libupnp Vulnerability
Portable UPnP SDK (aka libupnp) before 1.6.21 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files in the webroot via a POST request without a registered handler.
Published Mar 7, 2017 · Updated Aug 7, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2016-6255, DLA-597-1, DSA-3736-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-6255, USN-4794-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-6255 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Libupnp (Libupnp Project), Debian Linux, libixml11-32bit (suse) and 6 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jun 13, 2019. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 27% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including libixml11 1.14.10-1.2, libixml11-32bit 1.14.10-1.2, Libupnp 1:1.6.17-1.2+deb7u1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
27%
Higher than 98.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
41/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Jun 13, 2019
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
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
2
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-6255
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-6255
- advisoryhttps://sourceforge.net/p/pupnp/code/ci/master/tree/ChangeLog
- advisoryhttps://twitter.com/mjg59/status/755062278513319936
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4794-1
- advisoryDSA-3736
Description
Portable UPnP SDK (aka libupnp) before 1.6.21 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files in the webroot via a POST request without a registered handler.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 13, 2019 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
15 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LibupnpLibupnp Project | See advisory | 1.6.20 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 8.0 | n/a |
| libixml11-32bitsuse | See advisory | 1.14.10-1.2 |
| libixml11suse | See advisory | 1.14.10-1.2 |
| libupnp17-32bitsuse | See advisory | 1.14.10-1.2 |
Patched Releases
libixml11
1.14.10-1.2
libixml11-32bit
1.14.10-1.2
Libupnp
1:1.6.17-1.2+deb7u1, 1:1.6.17-1.2+deb7u1build0.14.04.1, 1:1.6.19+git20141001-1+deb8u1, 1:1.6.19+git20160116-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 1.6.21-4.3.1, 1.6.20
libupnp-devel
1.14.10-1.2, 1.6.21-4.3.1
libupnp17
1.14.10-1.2
libupnp17-32bit
1.14.10-1.2
libupnp6
1.6.21-4.3.1
libupnp6-32bit
1.6.21-4.3.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 7, 2017
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jun 13, 2019
Last updated
Aug 7, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-284 Improper Access Control
References
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2016-6255
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
- advisorysourceforge.net · ChangeLog
- advisorytwitter.com · 755062278513319936
- advisoryubuntu.com · USN-4794-1
FAQ
Common Questions.
Portable UPnP SDK (aka libupnp) before 1.6.21 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files in the webroot via a POST request without a registered handler.
Affected: Libupnp (Libupnp Project); Debian Linux versions 8.0; libixml11-32bit (suse), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jun 13, 2019.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including libixml11 1.14.10-1.2, libixml11-32bit 1.14.10-1.2, Libupnp 1:1.6.17-1.2+deb7u1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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