CVE-2016-4989: setroubleshoot allows local users to bypass an intended container protection mechanism and execute arbitrary c

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-4989?

setroubleshoot: upgrade to newer than -; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux hpc node: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-4989 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4989 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-2016-4989 affect?

CVE-2016-4989 affects setroubleshoot, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux hpc node. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). setroubleshoot allows local users to bypass an intended container protection mechanism and execute arbitrary commands by (1) triggering an SELinux denial with a crafted file name, which is handled by the _set_tpath function in audit_data.py

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-4989?

Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Routine

HIGH 7.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-4989 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting setroubleshoot, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux hpc node. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

setroubleshoot allows local users to bypass an intended container protection mechanism and execute arbitrary commands by (1) triggering an SELinux denial with a crafted file name, which is handled by the _set_tpath function in audit_data.py or via a crafted (2) local_id or (3) analysis_id field in a crafted XML document to the run_fix function in SetroubleshootFixit.py, related to the subprocess.check_output and commands.getstatusoutput functions

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77
Published	2017-04-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: redhat · setroubleshoot project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-04-11 18:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

setroubleshoot project setroubleshoot UPGRADE

Affected: <= -

Fixed in: newer than -

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

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

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade setroubleshoot

Note

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

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux hpc node MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

redhat enterprise linux workstation MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

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-2016-4989?

setroubleshoot: upgrade to newer than -; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux hpc node: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-4989 being exploited?

CVE-2016-4989 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-2016-4989 affect?

CVE-2016-4989 affects setroubleshoot, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux hpc node. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). setroubleshoot allows local users to bypass an intended container protection mechanism and execute arbitrary commands by (1) triggering an SELinux denial with a crafted file name, which is handled by the _set_tpath function in audit_data.py

How urgent is CVE-2016-4989?

Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-4446 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE The allow_execstack plugin for setroubleshoot allows local users to execute arbitrary commands by triggering a
CVE-2016-4445 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE The fix_lookup_id function in sealert in setroubleshoot before 3.2.23 allows local users to execute arbitrary
CVE-2016-4444 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE The allow_execmod plugin for setroubleshoot before 3.2.23 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands by
CVE-2015-1815 HIGH 10.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE The get_rpm_nvr_by_file_path_temporary function in util.py in setroubleshoot before 3.2.22 allows remote attac

References

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