CVE-2016-5840: hotfix_upload.cgi in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) 3.7, 3.8 SP1 (3.81), and 3.8 SP2 (3.82) allows

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-5840 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting deep discovery inspector. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

hotfix_upload.cgi in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) 3.7, 3.8 SP1 (3.81), and 3.8 SP2 (3.82) allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the filename parameter of the Content-Disposition header.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.8% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2016-06-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: trend micro

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-06-30 16:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:50 UTCUpdated Record last modified

trend micro deep discovery inspector DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.7 · 3.81 · 3.82

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.7

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy deep-discovery-inspector || rpm -q deep-discovery-inspector || deep-discovery-inspector --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison deep-discovery-inspector sudo apt install deep-discovery-inspector=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo apt-mark hold deep-discovery-inspector

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

dnf --showduplicates list deep-discovery-inspector sudo dnf downgrade deep-discovery-inspector-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo dnf versionlock add deep-discovery-inspector

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: Trend Micro Deep Discovery 3.7/3.8 SP1 (3.81)/3.8 SP2 (3.82) - 'hotfix_upload.cgi' Filename Remote Code Execution

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-2016-5840?

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

Is CVE-2016-5840 being exploited?

CVE-2016-5840 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-2016-5840 affect?

CVE-2016-5840 affects deep discovery inspector. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). hotfix_upload.cgi in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) 3.7, 3.8 SP1 (3.81), and 3.8 SP2 (3.82) allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the filename parameter of the Content-Disposition hea

How urgent is CVE-2016-5840?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Trend Micro vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-15365 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE A Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector 3.85 and below co
CVE-2015-2873 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) on Deep Discovery Threat appliances with software before 3.5.1477,
CVE-2015-2872 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) on Deep Disc

References

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