CVE-2016-5198: Google Chromium V8 Out-of-Bounds Memory Vulnerability

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-5198?

chrome: upgrade to 54.0.2840.85, 54.0.2840.87, 54.0.2840.90; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-5198 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-5198 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

Q: What does CVE-2016-5198 affect?

CVE-2016-5198 affects chrome, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). V8 in Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.90 for Linux, and 54.0.2840.85 for Android, and 54.0.2840.87 for Windows and Mac included incorrect optimisation assumptions, which allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write operations,

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-5198?

Priority 90/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Patch now

HIGH 8.8EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-5198 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting chrome, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

V8 in Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.90 for Linux, and 54.0.2840.85 for Android, and 54.0.2840.87 for Windows and Mac included incorrect optimisation assumptions, which allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write operations, leading to code execution, via a crafted HTML page.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	34.2% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2022-06-22
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2017-01-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Chrome · Vendor: google · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-01-19 05:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2022-06-08Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2022-06-22Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 00:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

google chrome UPGRADE

Affected: < 54.0.2840.90 · < 54.0.2840.85 · < 54.0.2840.87

Fixed in: 54.0.2840.85, 54.0.2840.87, 54.0.2840.90

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 54.0.2840.85 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade chrome

Note

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

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400

RHEL 6 Supplementary · chromium-browser · FIXED · chromium-browser-54.0.2840.90-1.el6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2016:2672 rpm -q chromium-browser

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · 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-2016-5198?

chrome: upgrade to 54.0.2840.85, 54.0.2840.87, 54.0.2840.90; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-5198 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2016-5198 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2016-5198 affect?

CVE-2016-5198 affects chrome, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). V8 in Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.90 for Linux, and 54.0.2840.85 for Android, and 54.0.2840.87 for Windows and Mac included incorrect optimisation assumptions, which allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write operations,

How urgent is CVE-2016-5198?

Priority 90/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Android vulnerabilities · Google Chrome vulnerabilities · Chromium vulnerabilities

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References

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