CVE-2016-4804: The read_boot function in boot.c in dosfstools before 4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-4804?

dosfstools: upgrade to newer than 3.0.28; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-4804 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4804 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-2016-4804 affect?

CVE-2016-4804 affects dosfstools, leap, opensuse. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). The read_boot function in boot.c in dosfstools before 4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted filesystem, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow in the (1) read_fat function or an out-of-bounds heap read

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-4804?

Priority 36/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 6.2WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-4804 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting dosfstools, leap, opensuse. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The read_boot function in boot.c in dosfstools before 4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted filesystem, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow in the (1) read_fat function or an out-of-bounds heap read in (2) get_fat function.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.2 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2016-06-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · dosfstools project · opensuse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-06-03 14:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dosfstools project dosfstools UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.0.28

Fixed in: newer than 3.0.28

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.0.28 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade dosfstools

Note

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

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 15.10 · 16.04

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.

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-2016-4804?

dosfstools: upgrade to newer than 3.0.28; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-4804 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4804 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-2016-4804 affect?

CVE-2016-4804 affects dosfstools, leap, opensuse. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). The read_boot function in boot.c in dosfstools before 4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted filesystem, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow in the (1) read_fat function or an out-of-bounds heap read

How urgent is CVE-2016-4804?

Priority 36/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2015-8872 MEDIUM 6.2 MITIGATE MITIGATE The set_fat function in fat.c in dosfstools before 4.0 might allow attackers to corrupt a FAT12 filesystem or

References

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