Description
Integer signedness error in the xrealloc function (rdesktop.c) in RDesktop 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown parameters that trigger a heap-based overflow. NOTE: the role of the channel_process function was not specified by the original researcher.
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 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | rdesktop | 1.9.0-4.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11298-1 |
Advisories 3
- 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
- rdesktop-xrealloc-bo(42277) vdb-entry
- 30118 third-party-advisory
- USN-646-1 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200806-04 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-3917 vendor-advisory
- 30713 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1573 vendor-advisory
- 1019992 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-3886 vendor-advisory
- 20080507 Multiple Vendor rdesktop channel_process() Integer Signedness Vulnerability third-party-advisory
- ADV-2008-2403 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-3985 vendor-advisory
- http://rdesktop.cvs.sourceforge.net/rdesktop/rdesktop/rdesktop.c?r1=1.161&r2=1.162&pathrev=HEAD
- 29097 vdb-entry
- 240708 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-1467 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9800 vdb-entry signature
- MDVSA-2008:101 vendor-advisory
- http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/message.php?msg_name=20080511065217.GA24455%40cse.unsw.EDU.AU
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-360.htm
- RHSA-2008:0575 vendor-advisory
- 30248 third-party-advisory
- 31928 third-party-advisory