CVE-2016-8388: An exploitable arbitrary heap-overwrite vulnerability exists within Iceni Argus

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-8388 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting argus. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An exploitable arbitrary heap-overwrite vulnerability exists within Iceni Argus. When it attempts to convert a malformed PDF to XML, it will explicitly trust an index within the specific font object and use it to write the font's name to a single object within an array of objects.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.9% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2017-02-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: iceni

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-28 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

iceni argus DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.6.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.6.04

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.6.04 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison argus sudo apt install argus=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.6.04> sudo apt-mark hold argus

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

dnf --showduplicates list argus sudo dnf downgrade argus-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.6.04> sudo dnf versionlock add argus

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.

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-2016-8388?

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

Is CVE-2016-8388 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8388 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-2016-8388 affect?

CVE-2016-8388 affects argus. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). An exploitable arbitrary heap-overwrite vulnerability exists within Iceni Argus. When it attempts to convert a malformed PDF to XML, it will explicitly trust an index within the specific font object and use it to write the font's name to a

How urgent is CVE-2016-8388?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-2777 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable heap overflow vulnerability exists in the ipStringCreate function of Iceni Argus Version 6.6.05
CVE-2016-8715 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable heap corruption vulnerability exists in the loadTrailer functionality of Iceni Argus version 6.
CVE-2016-8389 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable integer-overflow vulnerability exists within Iceni Argus
CVE-2016-8387 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable heap-based buffer overflow exists in Iceni Argus
CVE-2016-8386 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable heap-based buffer overflow exists in Iceni Argus

References

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