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CVE Record

CVE-2016-7946: X.org libXi before 1.7.7 allows remote X servers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via vectors i...

X.org libXi before 1.7.7 allows remote X servers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via vectors involving length fields.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2016-7946 is a denial-of-service flaw in X.org libXi before 1.7.7. A malicious or compromised X server can send malformed length data that causes a connected X client using libXi to hang in an infinite loop. The likely business impact is disruption of graphical applications, not confirmed data theft or code execution.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted operational disruption risk for Linux or Unix desktop and remote X11 environments. Prioritize routine patching where X11 is used, especially remote administration, shared lab, kiosk, or engineering workstations. It is not supported by the provided sources as an emergency breach issue.

Technical view

The issue is in libXi protocol response handling before version 1.7.7. Sources describe improper handling of length fields, allowing a remote X server to trigger an infinite loop in the client library. The provided sources do not include CVSS, CWE, detailed affected package matrices, or evidence of code execution.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on systems with X11 client applications using libXi that connect to an untrusted, malicious, or compromised X server. Typical server-only workloads without X11 clients are less likely to be exposed, but package inventories should confirm libXi presence and version.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. The attack context requires control of, or influence over, the X server that a vulnerable client connects to. Public details support denial of service through malformed protocol data, not weaponized exploitation steps.

Researcher notes

Do not generalize this to all X.Org components. The cited CVE record names libXi before 1.7.7 and length-field handling causing an infinite loop. Affected package names and fixed versions may vary by distribution because vendors often backport fixes.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade libXi to 1.7.7 or a vendor-fixed package.
  • Apply relevant Fedora, Gentoo, or distribution security updates.
  • Avoid connecting X11 clients to untrusted X servers.
  • Check vendor advisories for supported backport package versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems for installed libXi packages and versions.
  • Confirm vendor package changelogs reference the 2016 X.Org client library advisory.
  • Identify workflows where X11 clients connect to remote or shared X servers.
  • Review endpoint reports for outdated libXi before closing remediation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.