CVE-2016-10109: Use-after-free vulnerability in pcsc-lite before 1.8.20 allows a remote attackers to cause denial of service (

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-10109?

pcsc-lite: upgrade to newer than 1.8.19; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-10109 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10109 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2016-10109 affect?

CVE-2016-10109 affects pcsc-lite, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Use-after-free vulnerability in pcsc-lite before 1.8.20 allows a remote attackers to cause denial of service (crash) via a command that uses "cardsList" after the handle has been released through the SCardReleaseContext function.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-10109?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-10109 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting pcsc-lite, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Use-after-free vulnerability in pcsc-lite before 1.8.20 allows a remote attackers to cause denial of service (crash) via a command that uses "cardsList" after the handle has been released through the SCardReleaseContext function.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.0% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2017-02-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · muscle

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-23 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

muscle pcsc-lite UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.8.19

Fixed in: newer than 1.8.19

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pcsc-lite || rpm -q pcsc-lite || pcsc-lite --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.8.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pcsc-lite

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pcsc-lite

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 16.04 · 16.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-10109?

pcsc-lite: upgrade to newer than 1.8.19; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-10109 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10109 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-10109 affect?

CVE-2016-10109 affects pcsc-lite, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Use-after-free vulnerability in pcsc-lite before 1.8.20 allows a remote attackers to cause denial of service (crash) via a command that uses "cardsList" after the handle has been released through the SCardReleaseContext function.

How urgent is CVE-2016-10109?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

References

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