CVE-2016-2087: Directory traversal vulnerability in the client in HexChat 2.11.0 allows remote IRC servers to read or modify

This week

HIGH 7.4REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-2087 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.4) affecting hexchat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in the client in HexChat 2.11.0 allows remote IRC servers to read or modify arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the server name.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.4 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	9.5% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2017-01-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hexchat project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-01-18 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hexchat project hexchat DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.11.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hexchat sudo apt install hexchat=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.11.0> sudo apt-mark hold hexchat

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

dnf --showduplicates list hexchat sudo dnf downgrade hexchat-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.11.0> sudo dnf versionlock add hexchat

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Hexchat IRC Client 2.11.0 - Directory Traversal

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-2016-2087?

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

Is CVE-2016-2087 being exploited?

CVE-2016-2087 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-2016-2087 affect?

CVE-2016-2087 affects hexchat. Severity is high (CVSS 7.4). Directory traversal vulnerability in the client in HexChat 2.11.0 allows remote IRC servers to read or modify arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the server name.

How urgent is CVE-2016-2087?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-2233 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the inbound_cap_ls function in common/inbound.c in HexChat 2.10.2 allows remote
CVE-2013-7449 MEDIUM 6.5 MITIGATE MITIGATE The ssl_do_connect function in common/server.c in HexChat before 2.10.2, XChat, and XChat-GNOME does not verif

References

← Back to latest CVEs