Description
Buffer overflow in xaos 3.0-23 and earlier, when running setuid, allows local users to gain root privileges via a long -language option.
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 | xaos | 3.1r-4 | — |
| Debian 13 | xaos | 3.1r-4 | — |
| Debian 12 | xaos | 3.1r-4 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | xaos | 3.0-23woody1 | DSA-310 |
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
- Xaos 3.0 - Language Option Local Buffer Overflow EDB-22748 · local · Jun 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-310 xaos - improper setuid-root execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-310 vendor-advisory
- 20030605 BAZARR LOCAL ROOT AGAIN. HI GUYS. DONT READ THIS mailing-list