Description
serve_notify in CVS 1.12.x through 1.12.8, and 1.11.x through 1.11.16, does not properly handle empty data lines, which may allow remote attackers to perform an "out-of-bounds" write for a single byte to execute arbitrary code or modify critical program data.
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 |
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
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11242 vdb-entry signature
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:1003 vdb-entry signature
- 20040611 [OpenPKG-SA-2004.027] OpenPKG Security Advisory (cvs) mailing-list
- RHSA-2004:233 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:058 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200406-06 vendor-advisory
- 20040609 Advisory 09/2004: More CVS remote vulnerabilities mailing-list