---
title: CVE-2016-3959
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3959
---

# CVE-2016-3959

Publication date 23 May 2016

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.5 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3959#impact-score)

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## Description

The Verify function in crypto/dsa/dsa.go in Go before 1.5.4 and 1.6.x
before 1.6.1 does not properly check parameters passed to the big integer
library, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service
(infinite loop) via a crafted public key to a program that uses HTTPS
client certificates or SSH server libraries.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3959#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| golang | 19.04 disco | Not in release |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not in release |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not in release |
| 17.10 artful | Not in release |
| 17.04 zesty | Not in release |
| 16.10 yakkety | Not in release |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not in release |
| 15.10 wily | Ignored end of life |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Ignored end of life |
| golang-1.6 | 19.04 disco | Not in release |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not in release |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not in release |
| 17.10 artful | Not in release |
| 17.04 zesty | Not in release |
| 16.10 yakkety | Ignored end of life |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not affected |
| 15.10 wily | Not in release |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [mdeslaur](https://launchpad.net/~mdeslaur)

Packages built using golang need to be rebuilt once the
vulnerability has been fixed. This CVE entry does not
list packages that need rebuilding outside of the main
repository or the Ubuntu variants with PPA overlays.

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.5 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.5 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-3959)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3959)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2016-3959)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-3959)

### Other references

* <https://golang.org/cl/21533>
* <http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q2/11>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-3959>