CVE-2016-8581: A persistent XSS vulnerability exists in the User-Agent header of the login process of AlienVault OSSIM and US

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-8581?

open source security information and event management: upgrade to newer than 5.3.1; unified security management: upgrade to newer than 5.3.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-8581 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8581 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-2016-8581 affect?

CVE-2016-8581 affects open source security information and event management, unified security management. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). A persistent XSS vulnerability exists in the User-Agent header of the login process of AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2 that allows an attacker to steal session IDs of logged in users when the current sessions are viewed by an administ

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-8581?

Priority 51/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

MEDIUM 6.1UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2016-8581 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) affecting open source security information and event management, unified security management. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A persistent XSS vulnerability exists in the User-Agent header of the login process of AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2 that allows an attacker to steal session IDs of logged in users when the current sessions are viewed by an administrator.

Why this priority

EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.1 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	17.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2016-10-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: alienvault

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-10-28 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

alienvault open source security information and event management UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.3.1

Fixed in: newer than 5.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy open-source-security-information-and-event-management || rpm -q open-source-security-information-and-event-management || open-source-security-information-and-event-management --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-source-security-information-and-event-management

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade open-source-security-information-and-event-management

Note

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

alienvault unified security management UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.3.1

Fixed in: newer than 5.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy unified-security-management || rpm -q unified-security-management || unified-security-management --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade unified-security-management

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unified-security-management

Note

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

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: Alienvault OSSIM/USM 5.3.1 - Persistent Cross-Site Scripting
Metasploit: AlienVault OSSIM SQL Injection and 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-2016-8581?

open source security information and event management: upgrade to newer than 5.3.1; unified security management: upgrade to newer than 5.3.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-8581 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8581 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-2016-8581 affect?

CVE-2016-8581 affects open source security information and event management, unified security management. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). A persistent XSS vulnerability exists in the User-Agent header of the login process of AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2 that allows an attacker to steal session IDs of logged in users when the current sessions are viewed by an administ

How urgent is CVE-2016-8581?

Priority 51/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-8583 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE UPGRADE Multiple GET parameters in the vulnerability scan scheduler of AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2 are vulne
CVE-2016-8582 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE A vulnerability exists in gauge.php of AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2 that allows an attacker to execut
CVE-2016-8580 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE PHP object injection vulnerabilities exist in multiple widget files in AlienVault OSSIM and USM before 5.3.2
CVE-2016-6913 MEDIUM 5.4 UPGRADE UPGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in AlienVault OSSIM before 5.3 and USM before 5.3 allows remote attac

References

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