HIGH CVSS 7.8
Published: 2017-06-07

CVE-2016-4973

gnu libssp Security Advisory (CVE-2016-4973)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
Seeking technical exploit breakdowns or verified PoC code for CVE-2016-4973?
🔬 Search Writeups & Exploit Archive →

CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2016-4973 impacting gnu libssp. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 7.8 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
Binaries compiled against targets that use the libssp library in GCC for stack smashing protection (SSP) might allow local users to perform buffer overflow attacks by leveraging lack of the Object Size Checking feature.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local (AV:L)
Requires local system execution permissions
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
High (A:H)
Total denial of service or shutdown

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product gnu / libssp
Affected Versions -
Weakness Enumeration CWE-119

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2016-4973 impacting gnu libssp.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2016-4973.yaml
id: cve-2016-4973

info:
  name: gnu libssp - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2016-4973 affecting gnu libssp.
    Evaluation: Binaries compiled against targets that use the libssp library in GCC for stack smashing protection (SSP) might allow local users to perform buffer ove...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2016-4973
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    cvss-score: 7.8
    cve-id: CVE-2016-4973
    cwe-id: CWE-119
  tags: cve,cve-2016-4973,gnu,libssp,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "libssp"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2016-4973.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2016-4973
# Target: gnu libssp | CVSS: 7.8 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2016-4973 (gnu libssp)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against gnu libssp scope (-).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2016-4973.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2016-4973
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install libssp 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade libssp 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update libssp

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i libssp 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i libssp

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2016-4973 in gnu libssp?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update gnu libssp packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2016-4973?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2016-4973?

CVE-2016-4973 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.8 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
7.8
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2016-4973
Weakness CWE-119
Vendor gnu
Product libssp
Published 2017-06-07
Vector CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H