Description
Format string vulnerability in the _msg function in error.c in socat 1.4.0.3 and earlier, when used as an HTTP proxy client and run with the -ly option, allows remote attackers or local users to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a syslog message.
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 | socat | 1.4.0.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | socat | 1.4.0.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | socat | 1.4.0.3-1 | — |
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
- Socat 1.4.0.2 - Not SETUID Local Format String EDB-591 · local · Oct 23, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
References
- http://www.nosystem.com.ar/advisories/advisory-07.txt
- 12936 third-party-advisory
- http://www.dest-unreach.org/socat/advisory/socat-adv-1.html
- 11505 vdb-entry
- socat-format-string(17822) vdb-entry
- GLSA-200410-26 vendor-advisory