Description
Integer underflow in the iso_recv_msg function (iso.c) in rdesktop 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) request with a small length field.
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 | rdesktop | 1.5.0-4+cvs20071006 | — |
| Debian 13 | rdesktop | 1.5.0-4+cvs20071006 | — |
| Debian 12 | rdesktop | 1.5.0-4+cvs20071006 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | rdesktop | 1.5.0-1etch2 | DSA-1573-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | rdesktop | 1.4.1-6 | RHSA-2008:0575 |
| RHEL 4 | rdesktop | 1.3.1-9 | RHSA-2008:0725 |
| RHEL 3 | rdesktop | 1.2.0-3 | RHSA-2008:0576 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | rdesktop | 1.9.0-4.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11298-1 |
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
- rdesktop 1.5.0 - 'iso_recv_msg()' Integer Underflow (PoC) EDB-5561 · dos · May 8, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2008:0725 Red Hat Security Advisory: rdesktop security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2008:0576 Red Hat Security Advisory: rdesktop security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2008:0575 Red Hat Security Advisory: rdesktop security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1573-1 rdesktop - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11298-1 rdesktop-1.9.0-4.6 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 31224 third-party-advisory
- http://rdesktop.cvs.sourceforge.net/rdesktop/rdesktop/iso.c?r1=1.19&r2=1.20&pathrev=HEAD
- 5561 exploit
- 30118 third-party-advisory
- USN-646-1 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200806-04 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-3917 vendor-advisory
- 30713 third-party-advisory
- rdesktop-isorecvmsg-code-execution(42272) vdb-entry
- 1019990 vdb-entry
- SSA:2008-148-01 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1573 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-3886 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0725 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-2403 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-3985 vendor-advisory
- 29097 vdb-entry
- 240708 vendor-advisory
- 30380 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2008-1467 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:101 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11570 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2008:0576 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-360.htm
- 20080507 Multiple Vendor rdesktop iso_recv_msg() Integer Underflow Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0575 vendor-advisory
- 30248 third-party-advisory
- 31928 third-party-advisory
- 31222 third-party-advisory