---
title: "CVE-2016-3991\n    | Ubuntu"
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-2016-3991?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2016-3991

Publication date 21 September 2016

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

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

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3991?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the loadImage function in the tiffcrop tool
in LibTIFF 4.0.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of
service (out-of-bounds write) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted TIFF
image with zero tiles.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3991?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| tiff | 17.04 zesty | Not affected |
| 16.10 yakkety | Fixed 4.0.6-2ubuntu0.1 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 4.0.6-1ubuntu0.1 |
| 15.10 wily | Ignored end of life |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 4.0.3-7ubuntu0.6 |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Ignored end of life |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-3991?format=md#patch-details)

## Notes

---

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

Rating issue as low priority since it is in a utility rather
than the library

### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| tiff | * Vendor:   <https://git.centos.org/blob/rpms!libtiff.git/1ad9335dc0c1325262c62842eda01476243ec821/SOURCES!libtiff-CVE-2016-3991.patch> * Upstream:   [e596d4e](https://github.com/vadz/libtiff/commit/e596d4e27c5afb7960dc360fdd3afd90ba0fb8ba) * Upstream:   [3178ec4](https://github.com/vadz/libtiff/commit/3178ec4ca39abb4aa29f22529209948c16e8875b) |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.8 · High

* Base metrics

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

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-3991)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-3991)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2016-3991)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-3991)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-3212-3](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3212-3)
+ LibTIFF vulnerabilities
+ 19 July 2017

+ [USN-3212-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3212-1)
+ LibTIFF vulnerabilities
+ 27 February 2017

### Other references

* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/12/3>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-3991>