CVE-2016-10151: The hesiod_init function in lib/hesiod.c in Hesiod 3.2.1 compares EUID with UID to determine whether to use co

Routine

HIGH 7.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-10151 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting hesiod. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The hesiod_init function in lib/hesiod.c in Hesiod 3.2.1 compares EUID with UID to determine whether to use configurations from environment variables, which allows local users to gain privileges via the (1) HESIOD_CONFIG or (2) HES_DOMAIN environment variable and leveraging certain SUID/SGUID binary.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 67%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2017-03-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hesiod project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-01 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hesiod project hesiod DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hesiod || rpm -q hesiod || hesiod --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hesiod sudo apt install hesiod=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold hesiod

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list hesiod sudo dnf downgrade hesiod-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add hesiod

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2016-10151?

hesiod: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-10151 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10151 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-2016-10151 affect?

CVE-2016-10151 affects hesiod. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). The hesiod_init function in lib/hesiod.c in Hesiod 3.2.1 compares EUID with UID to determine whether to use configurations from environment variables, which allows local users to gain privileges via the (1) HESIOD_CONFIG or (2) HES_DOMAIN e

How urgent is CVE-2016-10151?

Priority 33/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-10152 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE The read_config_file function in lib/hesiod.c in Hesiod 3.2.1 falls back to the ".athena.mit.edu" default doma

References

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