Description
Buffer overflow in the get_origin function in traceroute-nanog allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via long WHOIS responses.
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 3.0 | traceroute-nanog | 6.1.1-1.2 | DSA-254 |
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
- Traceroute-nanog 6 - Local Buffer Overflow EDB-22014 · local · Nov 12, 2002 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-254 traceroute-nanog - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-254 vendor-advisory
- 6166 vdb-entry
- traceroute-nanog-getorigin-bo(10778) vdb-entry
- 20021129 Exploit for traceroute-nanog overflow mailing-list
- SuSE-SA:2002:043 vendor-advisory