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CVE Record

CVE-2016-8621: The `curl_getdate` function in curl before version 7.51.0 is vulnerable to an out of bounds read if it rece...

The `curl_getdate` function in curl before version 7.51.0 is vulnerable to an out of bounds read if it receives an input with one digit short.

MediumCVSS 5.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2016-8621 is a memory read flaw in curl's date parsing function. A specially malformed one-digit-short date input can make vulnerable curl versions read beyond intended memory. The rated impact is limited confidentiality exposure, not integrity or availability loss.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but necessary remediation item. It is not KEV-listed in the bundle and has limited rated impact, but curl is widely embedded and vulnerable builds can persist in older systems and containers.

Technical view

The issue is CWE-125 in curl_getdate before curl 7.51.0. The supplied CVSS v3.0 vector is 5.3: network reachable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, low confidentiality impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant where curl or libcurl before 7.51.0 processes untrusted date strings through curl_getdate. Distribution packages may backport fixes, so version numbers alone can mislead.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other evidence of active exploitation. The provided impact is out-of-bounds read with low confidentiality impact; no source claims code execution or service disruption.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on the curl_getdate parser boundary condition described by the CVE and curl advisory. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond out-of-bounds read unless additional vendor or crash evidence is available.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade curl/libcurl to 7.51.0 or a vendor-fixed package.
  • Apply relevant Red Hat, Gentoo, Oracle, or vendor advisories for managed platforms.
  • Prioritize internet-facing services that parse remote date inputs with curl.
  • If upgrade timing is constrained, restrict untrusted inputs reaching curl_getdate.
  • Track vendor guidance for any package-specific backports or mitigations.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory curl and libcurl versions across servers, containers, and build images.
  • Check distribution changelogs for CVE-2016-8621 backports.
  • Identify applications that call curl_getdate or expose date parsing to remote input.
  • Confirm scanners map findings to vendor-fixed package versions.
  • Retest after updating packages or rebuilding affected images.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-125: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2016-8621 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N3.91.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2016-8621Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
The Curl Projectcurl7.51.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-125

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

CWE-125 · source CWE mapping

Out-of-bounds Read

Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs