Description
Buffer overflow in secure locate (slocate) before 2.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) -c or (2) -r command line argument.
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 | slocate | 2.6-1.3.1 | DSA-252 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | slocate | 2.7-3 | RHSA-2004:041 |
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
- slocate 2.5/2.6 - Local Buffer Overrun EDB-22197 · dos · Jan 24, 2003 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2004:041 Red Hat Security Advisory: slocate security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-252 slocate - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 8236 third-party-advisory
- CLA-2003:643 vendor-advisory
- 7982 third-party-advisory
- http://www.usg.org.uk/advisories/2003.001.txt
- MDKSA-2003:015 vendor-advisory
- 10720 third-party-advisory
- DSA-252 vendor-advisory
- 20030125 Re: [USG- SA- 2003.001] USG Security Advisory (slocate) mailing-list
- 20030202 GLSA: slocate mailing-list
- 8118 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11369 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:041 vendor-advisory
- 20030124 [USG- SA- 2003.001] USG Security Advisory (slocate) mailing-list
- 8749 third-party-advisory
- 7947 third-party-advisory
- 8007 third-party-advisory