CVE-2016-8859: Multiple integer overflows in the TRE library and musl libc allow attackers to cause memory corruption via a l

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-8859?

musl: upgrade to newer than 1.1.15. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-8859 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8859 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-2016-8859 affect?

CVE-2016-8859 affects musl. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Multiple integer overflows in the TRE library and musl libc allow attackers to cause memory corruption via a large number of (1) states or (2) tags, which triggers an out-of-bounds write.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-8859?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2016-8859 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting musl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple integer overflows in the TRE library and musl libc allow attackers to cause memory corruption via a large number of (1) states or (2) tags, which triggers an out-of-bounds write.

Why this priority

Critical severity
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	3.4% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-190
Published	2017-02-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: etalabs

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-13 18:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

etalabs musl UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.1.15

Fixed in: newer than 1.1.15

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.1.15 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade musl

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-2016-8859?

musl: upgrade to newer than 1.1.15. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-8859 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8859 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-2016-8859 affect?

CVE-2016-8859 affects musl. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Multiple integer overflows in the TRE library and musl libc allow attackers to cause memory corruption via a large number of (1) states or (2) tags, which triggers an out-of-bounds write.

How urgent is CVE-2016-8859?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

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CVE-2020-28928 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE In musl libc through 1.2.1, wcsnrtombs mishandles particular combinations of destination buffer size and sourc
CVE-2019-14697 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE musl libc through 1.1.23 has an x87 floating-point stack adjustment imbalance, related to the math/i386/ direc
CVE-2017-15650 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE musl libc before 1.1.17 has a buffer overflow via crafted DNS replies because dns_parse_callback in network/lo
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References

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