CVE-2016-7969: The wrap_lines_smart function in ass_render.c in libass before 0.13.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denia

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-7969?

leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-7969 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7969 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-2016-7969 affect?

CVE-2016-7969 affects leap, opensuse, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The wrap_lines_smart function in ass_render.c in libass before 0.13.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors, related to "0/3 line wrapping equalization."

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-7969?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-7969 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting leap, opensuse, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The wrap_lines_smart function in ass_render.c in libass before 0.13.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors, related to "0/3 line wrapping equalization."

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.3% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2017-03-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · libass project · opensuse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-03 16:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 42.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 42.1

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.

opensuse opensuse MITIGATE

Affected: 13.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.2

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 23 · 24 · 25

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 23

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.

libass project libass UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.13.3

Fixed in: newer than 0.13.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.13.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade libass

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-2016-7969?

leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-7969 being exploited?

CVE-2016-7969 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-2016-7969 affect?

CVE-2016-7969 affects leap, opensuse, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The wrap_lines_smart function in ass_render.c in libass before 0.13.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors, related to "0/3 line wrapping equalization."

How urgent is CVE-2016-7969?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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