Description
Format string vulnerability in the httpd_FileCallBack function (network/httpd.c) in VideoLAN VLC 0.8.6d allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the Connection parameter.
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 | vlc | 0.8.6.c-4.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | vlc | 0.8.6.c-4.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | vlc | 0.8.6.c-4.1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | vlc | 0.8.6-svn20061012.debian-5.1+etch2 | DSA-1543-1 |
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
- VideoLAN VLC Media Player 0.8.6d - 'httpd_FileCallBack' Remote Format String EDB-5519 · remote · Apr 28, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-1543-1 vlc - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 29284 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1543 vendor-advisory
- 3550 third-party-advisory
- 28233 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:14790 vdb-entry signature
- 5519 exploit
- 27015 vdb-entry
- 42208 vdb-entry
- http://trac.videolan.org/vlc/changeset/23839
- 20071224 Buffer-overflow and format string in VideoLAN VLC 0.8.6d mailing-list
- 29766 third-party-advisory
- http://aluigi.altervista.org/adv/vlcboffs-adv.txt
- GLSA-200803-13 vendor-advisory