Description
Multiple buffer overflows in UMN gopher daemon (gopherd) 2.x and 3.x before 3.0.6 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long filename as a result of a LIST command, and (2) the GSisText function, which calculates the view-type.
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 | gopher | 3.0.6 | — |
| Debian 13 | gopher | 3.0.6 | — |
| Debian 12 | gopher | 3.0.6 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | gopher | 3.0.3woody1 | DSA-387 |
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 2
- University of Minnesota Gopherd 2.0.x/2.3/3.0.x - FTP Gateway Buffer Overflow EDB-22893 · remote · Jul 11, 2003 · verified
- University of Minnesota Gopherd 2.0.x/2.3/3.0.x - GSisText Buffer Overflow EDB-22894 · remote · Jul 11, 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-387 gopher - buffer overflows Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 20030712 UMN gopherd[2.x.x/3.x.x]: ftp gateway, and GSisText() buffer mailing-list
- 20030818 FW: [gopher] UMN Gopher 3.0.6 released mailing-list
- DSA-387 vendor-advisory