Description
Multiple buffer overflows in hztty 2.0 allow local users to gain root privileges.
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 | hztty | 2.0-5.2woody1 | DSA-385 |
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
- hztty 2.0 (RedHat 9.0) - Local Privilege Escalation EDB-104 · local · Sep 21, 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-385 hztty - buffer overflows Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 1007757 vdb-entry
- 1007756 vdb-entry
- 8656 vdb-entry
- hztty-bo(13243) vdb-entry
- 7119 vdb-entry
- 9792 third-party-advisory
- DSA-385 vendor-advisory
- 20030921 Fw: 0x333hztty => hztty 2.0 local root exploit mailing-list