Description
Buffer overflow in tryelf() in readelf.c of the file command allows attackers to execute arbitrary code as the user running file, possibly via a large entity size value in an ELF header (elfhdr.e_shentsize).
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 | file | 3.40-1.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | file | 3.40-1.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | file | 3.40-1.1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | file | 3.37-3.1.woody.1 | DSA-260 |
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 2
- File 3.x - Local Stack Overflow Code Execution (1) EDB-22324 · local · Mar 4, 2003 · verified
- File 3.x - Local Stack Overflow Code Execution (2) EDB-22325 · local · Mar 4, 2003 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-260 file - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://www.idefense.com/advisory/03.04.03.txt
- file-afctr-read-bo(11469) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2003:087 vendor-advisory
- SuSE-SA:2003:017 vendor-advisory
- 7008 vdb-entry
- 20030304 iDEFENSE Security Advisory 03.04.03: Locally Exploitable Buffer Overflow in file(1) mailing-list
- IMNX-2003-7+-012-01 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:086 vendor-advisory
- DSA-260 vendor-advisory
- VU#611865 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2003:030 vendor-advisory