Description
Buffer overflow in the process_redirect_pdu (rdp.c) function in rdesktop 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) redirect request with modified length fields.
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 |
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 - 'process_redirect_pdu()' BSS Overflow (PoC) EDB-5585 · dos · May 11, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- 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
- 30118 third-party-advisory
- USN-646-1 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200806-04 vendor-advisory
- 1019991 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-3917 vendor-advisory
- 20080507 Multiple Vendor rdesktop process_redirect_pdu() BSS Overflow Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- 30713 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1573 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-3886 vendor-advisory
- rdesktop-processredirectpdu-bo(42275) vdb-entry
- ADV-2008-2403 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-3985 vendor-advisory
- 29097 vdb-entry
- http://rdesktop.cvs.sourceforge.net/rdesktop/rdesktop/rdp.c?r1=1.101&r2=1.102&pathrev=HEAD
- 240708 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-1467 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:101 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-360.htm
- 5585 exploit
- 30248 third-party-advisory
- 31928 third-party-advisory