Description
Double free vulnerability for the error_prog_name string in CVS 1.12.x through 1.12.8, and 1.11.x through 1.11.16, may allow 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 14 | cvs | 1:1.12.9-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | cvs | 1:1.12.9-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | cvs | 1:1.12.9-1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | cvs | 1.11.1p1debian-9woody7 | DSA-519 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | cvs | 1.11.2-24 | RHSA-2004:233 |
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
- Remote CVS 1.11.15 - 'error_prog_name' Arbitrary Code Execution EDB-392 · remote · Aug 13, 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-2004:233 Red Hat Security Advisory: cvs security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-519 cvs - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-519 vendor-advisory
- http://security.e-matters.de/advisories/092004.html
- 20040611 [OpenPKG-SA-2004.027] OpenPKG Security Advisory (cvs) mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10070 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:233 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:058 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200406-06 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:994 vdb-entry signature
- 20040609 Advisory 09/2004: More CVS remote vulnerabilities mailing-list