CVE-2016-7942

The XGetImage function in X.org libX11 before 1.6.4 might allow remote X servers to gain privileges via vectors involving image type and geometry, which…

published December 13, 2016

CVSS
—
EPSS
4%
Percentile
91.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ An incomplete input validation in X.org's libX11 could let a remote attacker gain unexpected privileges, which is definitely something we don't want! 🚨 Think of it like a restaurant where the chef accidentally follows a faulty recipe, allowing anyone in the kitchen to whip up a dish that shouldn't be on the menu. This can lead to some rather unappetizing results! If exploited, this vulnerability could potentially allow a malicious remote X server to perform unauthorized actions, leading to serious integrity and security issues. While it hasn't been widely exploited yet, the risk is still a cause for concern!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where the chef accidentally follows a faulty recipe, allowing anyone in the kitchen to whip up a dish that shouldn't be on the menu. This can lead to some rather unappetizing results! The XGetImage function in libX11 versions prior to 1.6.4 has a flaw in handling certain image types and geometries, which can lead to out-of-bounds read operations—giving attackers a sneaky opportunity for privilege escalation.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could potentially allow a malicious remote X server to perform unauthorized actions, leading to serious integrity and security issues. While it hasn't been widely exploited yet, the risk is still a cause for concern! To protect yourself, update libX11 to version 1.6.4 or later as soon as possible. Regularly audit your systems for vulnerabilities and ensure that your security patches are up to date. You've got this! Follow these steps to secure your environment and stay ahead of the game! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.04459 · 91.3th percentile
Published
2016-12-13T20:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 13 DEC 20:00Z
    The XGetImage function in X.org libX11 before 1.6.4 might allow remote X servers to gain privileges via vectors involving image type and geometry, which…
    cvelistv5