CVE-2016-10165: The Type_MLU_Read function in cmstypes.c in Little CMS (aka lcms2) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive

This month

HIGH 7.1WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-10165 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting little cms color engine, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Type_MLU_Read function in cmstypes.c in Little CMS (aka lcms2) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or cause a denial of service via an image with a crafted ICC profile, which triggers an out-of-bounds heap read.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2017-02-03
Last modified	2026-10-15

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · littlecms · opensuse · redhat

Last updated 2026-10-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-03 19:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-15 16:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

littlecms little cms color engine UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.11

Fixed in: 2.11

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy little-cms-color-engine || rpm -q little-cms-color-engine || little-cms-color-engine --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade little-cms-color-engine

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade little-cms-color-engine

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 · 18.04

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 42.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 42.1

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.

redhat satellite DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.8

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison satellite sudo apt install satellite=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8> sudo apt-mark hold satellite

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

dnf --showduplicates list satellite sudo dnf downgrade satellite-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8> sudo dnf versionlock add satellite

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.

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 5.0 · 6.0 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0

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-2016-10165?

little cms color engine: upgrade to 2.11; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-10165 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10165 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-2016-10165 affect?

CVE-2016-10165 affects little cms color engine, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). The Type_MLU_Read function in cmstypes.c in Little CMS (aka lcms2) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or cause a denial of service via an image with a crafted ICC profile, which triggers an out-of-bounds heap read.

How urgent is CVE-2016-10165?

Priority 51/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-16435 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Little CMS (aka Little Color Management System) 2.9 has an integer overflow in the AllocateDataSet function in

References

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