Description
gdb before 6.3 searches the current working directory to load the .gdbinit configuration file, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands as the user running gdb.
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 | gdb | 6.3-6 | — |
| Debian 13 | gdb | 6.3-6 | — |
| Debian 12 | gdb | 6.3-6 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | gdb | 6.3.0.0-1.63 | RHSA-2005:709 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2005:709 Red Hat Security Advisory: gdb security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- 17072 third-party-advisory
- 18506 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:709 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-015.htm
- RHSA-2005:801 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=88398
- GLSA-200505-15 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11072 vdb-entry signature
- MDKSA-2005:095 vendor-advisory
- 17356 third-party-advisory