Description
Integer underflow in the file_printf function in the "file" program before 4.20 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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 | file | 4.20-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | file | 4.20-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | file | 4.20-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | file | 4.17-5etch1 | DSA-1274-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | file | 4.12-1sarge1 | DSA-1274-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | file | 4.17-9.el5 | RHSA-2007:0124 |
| RHEL 4 | file | 4.10-3.EL4.5 | RHSA-2007:0124 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | file | 5.40-1.14 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10755-1 |
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.
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
- File(1) 4.13 - Command File_PrintF Integer Underflow EDB-29753 · remote · Mar 19, 2007 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2007:0124 Red Hat Security Advisory: file security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1274-1 file - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10755-1 file-5.40-1.14 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 27314 third-party-advisory
- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305530
- 25393 third-party-advisory
- 29179 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2007-1939 vdb-entry
- 23021 vdb-entry
- 24616 third-party-advisory
- 1017796 vdb-entry
- [4.0] 20070709 015: SECURITY FIX: July 9, 2007 vendor-advisory
- 27307 third-party-advisory
- [file] 20070302 file-4.20 is now available mailing-list
- MDKSA-2007:067 vendor-advisory
- 20070828 Re: OpenBSD 4.1 - Heap overflow vulnerabillity mailing-list
- SUSE-SR:2007:005 vendor-advisory
- 24723 third-party-advisory
- 24754 third-party-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2007-05-24 vendor-advisory
- 25402 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2007:0124 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=171452
- 25989 third-party-advisory
- 24604 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10658 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SA:2007:040 vendor-advisory
- 25931 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1274 vendor-advisory
- 24617 third-party-advisory
- openbsd-file-bo(36283) vdb-entry
- ADV-2007-1040 vdb-entry
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2007-179.htm
- 25133 third-party-advisory
- FreeBSD-SA-07:04 vendor-advisory
- USN-439-1 vendor-advisory
- VU#606700 third-party-advisory
- 24608 third-party-advisory
- 20070825 OpenBSD 4.1 - Heap overflow vulnerabillity mailing-list
- GLSA-200703-26 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200710-19 vendor-advisory
- 24548 third-party-advisory
- 24592 third-party-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1148
- SSA:2007-093-01 vendor-advisory