Description
x11.c in xonix 1.4 and earlier uses the current working directory to find and execute the rmail program, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code by modifying the path to point to a malicious rmail program.
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 | xonix | 1.4-21 | — |
| Debian 13 | xonix | 1.4-21 | — |
| Debian 12 | xonix | 1.4-21 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | xonix | 1.4-19woody1 | DSA-484 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-484 xonix - failure to drop privileges Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 1009789 vdb-entry
- http://shellcode.org/Advisories/XONIX.txt
- 10149 vdb-entry
- DSA-484 vendor-advisory
- xonix-privilege-dropping(15873) vdb-entry
- 5358 vdb-entry
- 11382 third-party-advisory