Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in CVS 1.11.x up to 1.11.15, and 1.12.x up to 1.12.7, when using the pserver mechanism allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via Entry lines.
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 | cvs | 1:1.12.5-6 | — |
| Debian 13 | cvs | 1:1.12.5-6 | — |
| Debian 12 | cvs | 1:1.12.5-6 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | cvs | 1.11.1p1debian-9woody4 | DSA-505 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | cvs | 1.11.2-22 | RHSA-2004:190 |
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
- CVS (Linux/FreeBSD) - Remote Entry Line Heap Overflow EDB-300 · remote · Jun 25, 2004 · verified
- CVS - Remote Entry Line Root Heap Overflow EDB-301 · remote · Jun 25, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2004:190 Red Hat Security Advisory: cvs security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-505 cvs - heap overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 11641 third-party-advisory
- 11652 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:970 vdb-entry signature
- 20040519 [OpenPKG-SA-2004.022] OpenPKG Security Advisory (cvs) mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9058 vdb-entry signature
- MDKSA-2004:048 vendor-advisory
- 20040519 Advisory 07/2004: CVS remote vulnerability mailing-list
- 20040520 cvs server buffer overflow vulnerability vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2004:190 vendor-advisory
- 11674 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200405-12 vendor-advisory
- 11651 third-party-advisory
- 6305 vdb-entry
- TA04-147A third-party-advisory
- O-147 third-party-advisory government-resource
- 20040519 Advisory 07/2004: CVS remote vulnerability mailing-list
- 11647 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2004-1620 vendor-advisory
- VU#192038 third-party-advisory
- 20040519 Advisory 07/2004: CVS remote vulnerability mailing-list
- DSA-505 vendor-advisory
- cvs-entry-line-bo(16193) vdb-entry
- http://security.e-matters.de/advisories/072004.html
- SSA:2004-140-01 vendor-advisory
- 10384 vdb-entry
- SuSE-SA:2004:013 vendor-advisory