Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Socks-5 proxy code for XChat 1.8.0 to 2.0.8, with socks5 traversal enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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 | xchat | 1.8.9-0woody3 | DSA-493 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | xchat | 1:2.0.4-4.EL | RHSA-2004:585 |
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
- XChat 1.8.0/2.0.8 socks5 - Remote Buffer Overflow EDB-296 · remote · May 5, 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-2004:585 Red Hat Security Advisory: xchat security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-493 xchat - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2004:177 vendor-advisory
- DSA-493 vendor-advisory
- http://www.xchat.org/
- RHSA-2004:585 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200404-15 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:123013 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11312 vdb-entry signature
- [xchat-announce] 20040405 xchat 2.0.x Socks5 Vulnerability mailing-list