Description
Buffer overflow in the PerlIO implementation in Perl 5.8.0, when installed with setuid support (sperl), allows local users to execute arbitrary code by setting the PERLIO_DEBUG variable and executing a Perl script whose full pathname contains a long directory tree.
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 | perl | 5.8.4-6 | — |
| Debian 13 | perl | 5.8.4-6 | — |
| Debian 12 | perl | 5.8.4-6 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | perl | 3:5.8.5-12.1 | RHSA-2005:103 |
| RHEL 4 | perl-suidperl | 3:5.8.5-12.1.1 | RHSA-2005:103 |
| RHEL 3 | perl +1 | 2:5.8.0-89.10 | RHSA-2005:105 |
| RHEL 3 | perl-CGI | 2:2.81-89.10 | RHSA-2005:105 |
| RHEL 3 | perl-CPAN | 2:1.61-89.10 | RHSA-2005:105 |
| RHEL 3 | perl-DB_File | 2:1.804-89.10 | RHSA-2005:105 |
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
- Setuid perl - 'PerlIO_Debug()' Local Overflow EDB-791 · local · Feb 7, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:105 Red Hat Security Advisory: perl security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2005:103 Red Hat Security Advisory: perl security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- 20050207 DMA[2005-0131b] - 'Setuid Perl PERLIO_DEBUG mailing-list
- http://www.digitalmunition.com/DMA%5B2005-0131b%5D.txt
- 12426 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2005:105 vendor-advisory
- 14120 third-party-advisory
- 2005-0003 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:103 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10803 vdb-entry signature
- 55314 third-party-advisory
- 20050202 [USN-72-1] Perl vulnerabilities mailing-list
- CLSA-2006:1056 vendor-advisory
- FLSA-2006:152845 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:031 vendor-advisory
- perl-perliodebug-bo(19208) vdb-entry
- GLSA-200502-13 vendor-advisory