CVE-2016-10708: sshd in OpenSSH before 7.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-10708?

openssh: upgrade to 7.4; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-10708 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10708 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-2016-10708 affect?

CVE-2016-10708 affects openssh, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). sshd in OpenSSH before 7.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) via an out-of-sequence NEWKEYS message, as demonstrated by Honggfuzz, related to kex.c and packet.c.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-10708?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-10708 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting openssh, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

sshd in OpenSSH before 7.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) via an out-of-sequence NEWKEYS message, as demonstrated by Honggfuzz, related to kex.c and packet.c.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: 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	15.7% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2018-01-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · netapp · openbsd

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-01-21 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openbsd openssh UPGRADE

Affected: < 7.4

Fixed in: 7.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 7.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade openssh

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade openssh

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

netapp cloud backup MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cloud-backup || rpm -q cloud-backup || cloud-backup --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

netapp data ontap MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy data-ontap || rpm -q data-ontap || data-ontap --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

netapp data ontap edge MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy data-ontap-edge || rpm -q data-ontap-edge || data-ontap-edge --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2016-10708?

openssh: upgrade to 7.4; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-10708 being exploited?

CVE-2016-10708 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-2016-10708 affect?

CVE-2016-10708 affects openssh, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). sshd in OpenSSH before 7.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) via an out-of-sequence NEWKEYS message, as demonstrated by Honggfuzz, related to kex.c and packet.c.

How urgent is CVE-2016-10708?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenSSH vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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