Description
Buffer overflow in xpcd-svga for xpcd 2.08 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long HOME 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 3.0 | xpcd | 2.08-8woody1 | DSA-368 |
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
- XPCD 2.0.8 - 'HOME Environment' Local Buffer Overflow EDB-22996 · local · Jul 18, 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-368 xpcd - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-368 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:053 vendor-advisory