Description
X.Org server (xorg-server) 1.0.0 and later, X11R6.9.0, and X11R7.0 inadvertently treats the address of the geteuid function as if it is the return value of a call to geteuid, which allows local users to bypass intended restrictions and (1) execute arbitrary code via the -modulepath command line option or (2) overwrite arbitrary files via -logfile.
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 | xorg-server | 1:1.0.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | xorg-server | 1:1.0.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | xorg-server | 1:1.0.2-1 | — |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- X.Org X11 (X11R6.9.0/X11R7.0) - Local Privilege Escalation EDB-1596 · local · Mar 20, 2006 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
References
- MDKSA-2006:056 vendor-advisory
- 20060320 Re: [CVE-2006-0745] X.Org Security Advisory: privilege escalation and DoS in X11R6.9, X11R7.0 mailing-list
- xorg-geteuid-privilege-escalation(25341) vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2006-172 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-078.htm
- 20060320 [CVE-2006-0745] X.Org Security Advisory: privilege escalation and DoS in X11R6.9, X11R7.0 mailing-list
- 1015793 vdb-entry
- 19256 third-party-advisory
- 102252 vendor-advisory
- 24000 vdb-entry
- 19676 third-party-advisory
- 19316 third-party-advisory
- 24001 vdb-entry
- ADV-2006-1017 vdb-entry
- 606 third-party-advisory
- 17169 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SA:2006:016 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2006-1028 vdb-entry
- 19307 third-party-advisory
- 19311 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:1697 vdb-entry signature