Description
Multiple buffer overflows in man-db 2.4.1 and earlier, when installed setuid, allow local users to gain privileges via (1) MANDATORY_MANPATH, MANPATH_MAP, and MANDB_MAP arguments to add_to_dirlist in manp.c, (2) a long pathname to ult_src in ult_src.c, (3) a long .so argument to test_for_include in ult_src.c, (4) a long MANPATH environment variable, or (5) a long PATH environment variable.
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 | man-db | 2.4.1-13 | — |
| Debian 13 | man-db | 2.4.1-13 | — |
| Debian 12 | man-db | 2.4.1-13 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | man-db | 2.3.20-18.woody.2 | DSA-364 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- ManDB Utility 2.3/2.4 - Local Buffer Overflow EDB-22971 · local · Jul 29, 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-364 man-db - buffer overflows, arbitrary command execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 20030729 man-db[] multiple(4) vulnerabilities. mailing-list
- 20030730 Re: man-db[] multiple(4) vulnerabilities. mailing-list
- DSA-364 vendor-advisory