---
title: "CVE-2016-8701\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-2016-8701?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2016-8701

Publication date 31 January 2017

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

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

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8701?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm\_readbody\_bmp function in bitmap\_io.c
in potrace before 1.13 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact
via a crafted BMP image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-8698,
CVE-2016-8699, CVE-2016-8700, CVE-2016-8702, and CVE-2016-8703.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-8701?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

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

## Notes

---

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

inkscape in xenial and earlier embeds libpotrace (LP: #1156664)

---

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

potrace in inkscape works on bitmaps already loaded, not
arbitrary images. Marking as not-affected for inkscape.

## 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-2016-8701)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8701)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2016-8701)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-8701)

### Other references

* <https://blogs.gentoo.org/ago/2016/08/08/potrace-multiplesix-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-bm_readbody_bmp-bitmap_io-c/>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8701>