Description
Buffer overflow in the error function in preproc.c for NASM 0.98.38 1.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted asm file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1194.
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 | nasm | 0.98.38-1.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | nasm | 0.98.38-1.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | nasm | 0.98.38-1.1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | nasm | 0.98.28cvs-1woody2 | DSA-623-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | nasm +2 | 0.98.38-3.EL4 | RHSA-2005:381 |
| RHEL 3 | nasm | 0.98.35-3.EL3 | RHSA-2005:381 |
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
- NASM 0.98.x - Error Preprocessor Directive Buffer Overflow EDB-25005 · remote · Dec 15, 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-2005:381 Red Hat Security Advisory: nasm security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-623-1 nasm - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2005:381 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11299 vdb-entry signature
- nasm-preprocc-bo(18540) vdb-entry
- http://tigger.uic.edu/~jlongs2/holes/nasm.txt