CVE-2016-7115: Buffer overflow in the handle_packet function in mactelnet.c in the client in MAC-Telnet 0.4.3 and earlier all

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-7115?

mac-telnet: upgrade to newer than 0.4.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-7115 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7115 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-2016-7115 affect?

CVE-2016-7115 affects mac-telnet. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Buffer overflow in the handle_packet function in mactelnet.c in the client in MAC-Telnet 0.4.3 and earlier allows remote TELNET servers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in an MT_CPTYPE_PASSSALT control packet.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-7115?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2016-7115 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting mac-telnet. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the handle_packet function in mactelnet.c in the client in MAC-Telnet 0.4.3 and earlier allows remote TELNET servers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in an MT_CPTYPE_PASSSALT control packet.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.6% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2016-08-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mac-telnet project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-08-30 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mac-telnet project mac-telnet UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.4.3

Fixed in: newer than 0.4.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mac-telnet || rpm -q mac-telnet || mac-telnet --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.4.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade mac-telnet

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade mac-telnet

Note

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

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-2016-7115?

mac-telnet: upgrade to newer than 0.4.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-7115 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7115 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-2016-7115 affect?

CVE-2016-7115 affects mac-telnet. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Buffer overflow in the handle_packet function in mactelnet.c in the client in MAC-Telnet 0.4.3 and earlier allows remote TELNET servers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in an MT_CPTYPE_PASSSALT control packet.

How urgent is CVE-2016-7115?

Priority 62/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

← Back to latest CVEs