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CVE-2016-4997 is an integer-underflow-related memory-corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel netfilter compatibility implementations of the IPT_SO_SET_REPLACE and IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACE setsockopt operations. In kernels before 4.6.3, a crafted offset supplied during compatibility-mode table replacement can trigger an unintended decrement. A local attacker with root access inside a container can use the flaw to corrupt kernel memory, resulting in denial of service or potential privilege escalation.
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1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository contains a single Metasploit module (modules/exploits/linux/local/netfilter_priv_esc_ipv4.rb) that exploits a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem (CVE-2016-4997 and CVE-2016-4998). The exploit targets Ubuntu 16.04 with kernel 4.4.0-21-generic (and similar vulnerable versions before 4.6.3). The module checks for required kernel modules (ip_tables.ko), verifies SMEP/SMAP are disabled, and ensures unprivileged user namespaces are permitted. It drops and compiles a C exploit on the target (using /tmp or another writable directory), then executes it to escalate privileges to root. The module is operational and can deliver a shell or meterpreter session as root. Several fingerprintable file paths are used, including /proc/modules for kernel module checks and /tmp for payload and marker files. The exploit is part of the Metasploit framework and is implemented in Ruby.
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2 sources tracked across advisories and community write-ups. News coverage will land here when it surfaces.
No news coverage yet. Advisories and community discussion only.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.