CVE-2016-9888: An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library be

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-9888?

libgsf: upgrade to newer than 1.14.40. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-9888 being exploited?

CVE-2016-9888 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-2016-9888 affect?

CVE-2016-9888 affects libgsf. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library before 1.14.41 can be exploited to trigger a Null pointer dereference and subsequently cause a crash via a crafted TAR file.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-9888?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2016-9888 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting libgsf. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library before 1.14.41 can be exploited to trigger a Null pointer dereference and subsequently cause a crash via a crafted TAR file.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2016-12-08
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gnome

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-12-08 08:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnome libgsf UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.14.40

Fixed in: newer than 1.14.40

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.14.40 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade libgsf

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-2016-9888?

libgsf: upgrade to newer than 1.14.40. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-9888 being exploited?

CVE-2016-9888 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-2016-9888 affect?

CVE-2016-9888 affects libgsf. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An error within the "tar_directory_for_file()" function (gsf-infile-tar.c) in GNOME Structured File Library before 1.14.41 can be exploited to trigger a Null pointer dereference and subsequently cause a crash via a crafted TAR file.

How urgent is CVE-2016-9888?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-42415 HIGH 8.4 DOWNGRADE An integer overflow vulnerability exists in the Compound Document Binary File format parser of v1.14.52 of the
CVE-2024-36474 HIGH 8.4 DOWNGRADE An integer overflow vulnerability exists in the Compound Document Binary File format parser of the GNOME Proje
CVE-2006-4514 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Heap-based buffer overflow in the ole_info_read_metabat function in Gnome Structured File library (libgsf) 1.1

References

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