Description
Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) library before 7.0 does not properly calculate the amount of memory needed for a compiled regular expression pattern when the (1) -x or (2) -i UTF-8 options change within the pattern, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (PCRE or glibc crash) via crafted regular expressions.
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 12 | pcre3 | 7.0-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | kazehakase | 0.4.2-1etch1 | DSA-1570-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | pcre +1 | 6.6-2.el5_1.7 | RHSA-2007:1059 |
| RHEL 4 | pcre +1 | 4.5-4.el4_6.6 | RHSA-2007:1068 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2007:1059 Red Hat Security Advisory: pcre security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2007:1068 Red Hat Security Advisory: pcre security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1570-1 kazehakase - execution of arbitrary code Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 30219 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=384801
- GLSA-200711-30 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:030 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1570 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:004 vendor-advisory
- 28658 third-party-advisory
- 27773 third-party-advisory
- 28406 third-party-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2007-505.htm
- RHSA-2007:1068 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200805-11 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10911 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2007:1059 vendor-advisory
- 26550 vdb-entry
- 28041 third-party-advisory
- 27741 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2007:062 vendor-advisory
- http://www.pcre.org/changelog.txt
- 30155 third-party-advisory
- 28720 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200801-02 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=198976
- GLSA-200801-19 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200801-18 vendor-advisory
- 28414 third-party-advisory
- 30106 third-party-advisory
- 28714 third-party-advisory