Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ParseSSA function (modules/demux/subtitle.c) in VLC 0.8.6e allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long subtitle in an SSA file. NOTE: this issue is due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2007-6681.
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.e-2.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | vlc | 0.8.6.e-2.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | vlc | 0.8.6.e-2.1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | vlc | 0.8.6.c-6+lenny4 | DTSA-125-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | vlc | 0.8.6-svn20061012.debian-5.1+etch3 | DSA-1819-1 |
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.
Exploit-DB 2
- VideoLAN VLC Media Player 0.8.6d SSA Parsing Double Sh311 - Universal EDB-5667 · local · May 23, 2008 · verified
- VideoLAN VLC Media Player 0.8.6e - Subtitle Parsing Local Buffer Overflow EDB-5250 · local · Mar 14, 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-1819-1 vlc - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-125-1 vlc - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- vlc-parsessa-bo(41936) vdb-entry
- http://aluigi.org/adv/vlcboffs-adv.txt
- 20080317 VLC highlander bug mailing-list
- 28233 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200804-25 vendor-advisory
- http://wiki.videolan.org/Changelog/0.8.6f
- 28274 vdb-entry
- 29800 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:14872 vdb-entry signature
- 5250 exploit
- vlcmediaplayer-subtitle-bo(41237) vdb-entry
- http://aluigi.altervista.org/adv/vlcboffs-adv.txt
- 28251 vdb-entry