CVE-2016-3235 is a vulnerability that affects the Linux kernel prior to version 4.6, allowing local users to gain root privileges or cause a denial of service (DoS) attack. This vulnerability occurs due to the incorrect handling of certain privilege levels on communication between user space and kernel space. This flaw has been classified as a medium-severity issue with a CVSS score of 6.2 out of 10.
The vulnerability was first discovered in May 2016 by a security researcher named Phil Oester. The issue was then reported to the Linux Kernel Mailing List, where it was acknowledged and promptly addressed by the development team. A patch was released in June 2016, shortly after the discovery of the vulnerability. The patch fixed the flaw by improving the authentication process for system calls, thereby preventing unauthorized access to sensitive parts of the kernel.
Following the release of the patch, users were advised to update their systems to the latest version of the Linux kernel to avoid potential exploits. While there haven't been any major publicized incidents related to this vulnerability since its discovery, it serves as an important reminder of the importance of prompt vulnerability management and software updates to maintain system security.