CVE-2016-2853
The aufs module for the Linux kernel 3.x and 4.x does not properly restrict the mount namespace, which allows local users to gain privileges by mounting an aufs filesystem on top of a FUSE filesystem, and then executing a crafted setuid program.
Does this matter?
A public exploit is published in Exploit-DB and the impact is high, while EPSS rates exploitation at 0.9%. Anyone can run this; patch or mitigate before the next change window and check exposed instances for signs of use.
Description
The aufs module for the Linux kernel 3.x and 4.x does not properly restrict the mount namespace, which allows local users to gain privileges by mounting an aufs filesystem on top of a FUSE filesystem, and then executing a crafted setuid program.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.91% probability · 60th percentile
- Public exploits
- 1 in Exploit-DB · first 19 February 2016
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-269
- Affected
- linux/linux kernel
- Source
- cve@mitre.org
EPSS 0.9% since 26 October 2026; no change recorded yet. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
Public exploits (1)
Entries in Exploit-DB that cite this CVE. Links go to the Exploit-DB page and to the file in the public repository; nothing is hosted here. A verified tick means the Exploit-DB team confirmed the exploit works against the stated version.
References
- http://www.halfdog.net/Security/2016/AufsPrivilegeEscalationInUserNamespaces/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/02/24/9Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/10/18/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96839Broken Link
- https://sourceforge.net/p/aufs/mailman/message/34864744/Third Party Advisory
- http://www.halfdog.net/Security/2016/AufsPrivilegeEscalationInUserNamespaces/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/02/24/9Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/10/18/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96839Broken Link
- https://sourceforge.net/p/aufs/mailman/message/34864744/Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.