CVE-2016-6254

9.1 CRITICAL 6% exploit odds Fix listed Memory safety Network gear

What it is

Heap-based buffer overflow in the parse_packet function in network.c in collectd before 5.4.3 and 5.x before 5.5.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted network packet.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 5.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2016-08-19 21:59 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 00:50 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 5.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.1 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2016-08-19 21:59 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 00:50 UTC
Exploit probability: 5.7% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-119 · Buffer errors
Record status: Modified

Affected

Debian Linux 8.0
Collectd < 5.4.3
Collectd < 5.5.2
Fedoraproject Fedora 23
Fedoraproject Fedora 24

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 9.1

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

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.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2016-6254.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2016-6254. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

· More options · Status badge

Download Square Reddit

Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record