CVE-2016-7142: The m_sasl module in InspIRCd before 2.0.23, when used with a service that supports SASL_EXTERNAL authenticati

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-7142?

inspircd: upgrade to newer than 2.0.22; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-7142 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7142 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-2016-7142 affect?

CVE-2016-7142 affects inspircd, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The m_sasl module in InspIRCd before 2.0.23, when used with a service that supports SASL_EXTERNAL authentication, allows remote attackers to spoof certificate fingerprints and consequently log in as another user via a crafted SASL message.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-7142?

Priority 47/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-7142 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting inspircd, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The m_sasl module in InspIRCd before 2.0.23, when used with a service that supports SASL_EXTERNAL authentication, allows remote attackers to spoof certificate fingerprints and consequently log in as another user via a crafted SASL message.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 35%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2016-09-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · inspircd

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-09-26 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

inspircd inspircd UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.0.22

Fixed in: newer than 2.0.22

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.0.22 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade inspircd

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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-2016-7142?

inspircd: upgrade to newer than 2.0.22; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-7142 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7142 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-2016-7142 affect?

CVE-2016-7142 affects inspircd, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The m_sasl module in InspIRCd before 2.0.23, when used with a service that supports SASL_EXTERNAL authentication, allows remote attackers to spoof certificate fingerprints and consequently log in as another user via a crafted SASL message.

How urgent is CVE-2016-7142?

Priority 47/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-33586 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE InspIRCd 3.8.0 through 3.9.x before 3.10.0 allows any user (able to connect to the server) to access recently
CVE-2020-25269 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in InspIRCd 2 before 2.0.29 and 3 before 3.6.0
CVE-2019-20918 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in InspIRCd 3 before 3.1.0
CVE-2019-20917 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in InspIRCd 2 before 2.0.28 and 3 before 3.3.0
CVE-2015-8702 HIGH 8.6 MITIGATE UPGRADE The DNS::GetResult function in dns.cpp in InspIRCd before 2.0.19 allows remote DNS servers to cause a denial o

References

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