Description
leksbot 1.2.3 in Debian GNU/Linux installs the KATAXWR as setuid root, which allows local users to gain root privileges by exploiting unknown vulnerabilities related to the escalated privileges, which KATAXWR is not designed to have.
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 | leksbot | 1.2-3.1 | DSA-299 |
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
- Leksbot 1.2 - Multiple Vulnerabilities EDB-22567 · local · May 6, 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-299 leksbot - improper setuid-root execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 7505 vdb-entry
- kataxwr-gain-privileges(11945) vdb-entry
- DSA-299 vendor-advisory