Description
The Squid package in Red Hat Linux 5.2 and 6.0, and other distributions, installs cachemgr.cgi in a public web directory, which allows remote attackers to use it as an intermediary to connect to other systems.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | squid | 2.5.7-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | squid | 2.5.7-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | squid | 2.5.7-1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | squid | 2.4.6-2woody4 | DSA-576-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | squid | 7:2.5.STABLE6-3.4E.9 | RHSA-2005:415 |
| RHEL 3 | squid | 7:2.5.STABLE3-6.3E.13 | RHSA-2005:415 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Squid Web Proxy 2.2 - 'cachemgr.cgi' Unauthorized Connection EDB-20465 · remote · Jul 23, 1999 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:415 Red Hat Security Advisory: squid security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-576-1 squid - multiple Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2005-373 vendor-advisory
- FLSA-2006:152809 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:489 vendor-advisory
- 2059 vdb-entry
- DSA-576 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-1999:025 vendor-advisory
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/2385 vdb-entry
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/archives/rh52-errata-general.html#squid