---
title: "CVE-2016-8688\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-2016-8688?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2016-8688

Publication date 15 February 2017

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

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

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.5 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8688?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

The mtree bidder in libarchive 3.2.1 does not keep track of line sizes when
extending the read-ahead, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial
of service (crash) via a crafted file, which triggers an invalid read in
the (1) detect\_form or (2) bid\_entry function in
libarchive/archive\_read\_support\_format\_mtree.c.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| libarchive | 16.10 yakkety | Fixed 3.2.1-2ubuntu0.1 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 3.1.2-11ubuntu0.16.04.3 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 3.1.2-7ubuntu2.4 |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Fixed 3.0.3-6ubuntu1.4 |

---

* [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-2016-8688?format=md#patch-details)

### 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 |
| --- | --- |
| libarchive | * Upstream:   [eec077f](https://github.com/libarchive/libarchive/commit/eec077f52bfa2d3f7103b4b74d52572ba8a15aca) |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.5 · Medium

* Base metrics

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

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.5 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-8688)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8688)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2016-8688)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-8688)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-3225-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3225-1)
+ libarchive vulnerabilities
+ 9 March 2017

### Other references

* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-detect_form-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/>
* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-memory-corruptionunknown-crash-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/>
* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/>
* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-use-after-free-in-bid_entry-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/>
* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/09/11/libarchive-bsdtar-use-after-free-in-detect_form-archive_read_support_format_mtree-c/>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8688>