CVE-2016-4008

What it is

The _asn1_extract_der_octet function in lib/decoding.c in GNU Libtasn1 before 4.8, when used without the ASN1_DECODE_FLAG_STRICT_DER flag, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion) via a crafted certificate.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

29.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2016-05-05 18:59 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 00:46 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 29.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.9 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2016-05-05 18:59 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 00:46 UTC

Exploit probability

29.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-399

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 12.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 14.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 15.10
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 16.04
• Opensuse 13.2
• Gnu libtasn1 ≤ 4.7
• Fedoraproject Fedora 22
• Fedoraproject Fedora 23

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 5.9

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

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