# CVE-2016-5285: Null dereference in Network Security Services

> A remote attacker can cause a denial of service in applications using Mozilla Network Security Services due to a missing null check.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Nov 2019
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2016-5285, GHSA-5p92-qfvf-9h9q, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-5285

## What is CVE-2016-5285?

CVE-2016-5285 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 15 Nov 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A Null pointer dereference vulnerability exists in Mozilla Network Security Services due to a missing NULL check in PK11_SignWithSymKey / ssl3_ComputeRecordMACConstantTime, which could let a remote malicious user cause a Denial of Service.

Weakness: CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-5285?

It affects 27 products.


Products: Avaya Aura Application Enablement Services, Avaya Aura Application Server 5300, Avaya Aura Communication Manager, Avaya Aura Communication Manager Messagint, Avaya Aura Conferencing, Avaya Aura Experience Portal, Avaya Aura Messaging, Avaya Aura Session Manager, Avaya Aura System Manager, Avaya Aura System Platform Firmware, Avaya Aura Utility Services, Avaya Breeze Platform, Avaya Call Management System, Avaya Cs1000e\/Cs1000m Signaling Server Firmware, Avaya Cs1000e Firmware, Avaya Cs1000m Firmware, Avaya Ip Office, Avaya Iq, Avaya Meeting Exchange, Avaya Message Networking and 7 more.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-5285?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2016-5285 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-5285 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2022-2975](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2975/): Avaya Aura Application Enablement Services weak permissions in web application (high 7.7)
- [CVE-2009-3939](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3939/): Misconfiguration in n/a (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2006-1058](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-1058/): Weak cryptography in n/a (medium 5.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-5285 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-5285 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 15 Nov 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-5285 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-5285/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-5285/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-5285
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-5285
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-5285

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-5285/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.