Description
Multiple buffer overflows in Ethereal 0.10.12 and earlier might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors in the (1) SLIMP3 and (2) AgentX dissector.
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 3.1 | ethereal | 0.10.10-2sarge8 | DSA-1171 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | ethereal +1 | 0.10.13-1.EL3.1 | RHSA-2005:809 |
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
- Ethereal 0.9.1 < 0.10.12 SLIMP3 - Remote Buffer Overflow (PoC) EDB-1266 · dos · Oct 20, 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-2005:809 Red Hat Security Advisory: ethereal security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1171 ethereal - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2005:809 vendor-advisory
- 17327 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200510-25 vendor-advisory
- 17392 third-party-advisory
- 20126 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9836 vdb-entry signature
- 17480 third-party-advisory
- 1015082 vdb-entry
- http://www.ethereal.com/appnotes/enpa-sa-00021.html
- SUSE-SR:2005:025 vendor-advisory
- 17286 third-party-advisory
- 20135 vdb-entry
- DSA-1171 vendor-advisory
- 21813 third-party-advisory
- http://www.frsirt.com/exploits/20051020.ethereal_slimp3_bof.py.php
- FLSA-2006:152922 vendor-advisory
- 17377 third-party-advisory
- 15148 vdb-entry
- 17254 third-party-advisory