CVE-2016-3992: cronic before 3 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) cronic.out.$$, (2
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Routine
MEDIUM 6.2WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2016-3992 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting cronic, debian linux, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
cronic before 3 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) cronic.out.$$, (2) cronic.err.$$, or (3) cronic.trace.$$ file in /tmp.
Why this priority
On your watchlist
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
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.
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.
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.
opensuse opensuse MITIGATE
Affected: 13.2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.2
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 sourceNVD · 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-2016-3992?
cronic: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2016-3992 being exploited?
CVE-2016-3992 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-2016-3992 affect?
CVE-2016-3992 affects cronic, debian linux, leap. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). cronic before 3 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) cronic.out.$$, (2) cronic.err.$$, or (3) cronic.trace.$$ file in /tmp.
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