Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the searchwn function in Wordnet 2.0, 2.1, and 3.0 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long command line option. NOTE: this issue probably does not cross privilege boundaries except in cases in which Wordnet is used as a back end.
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 | wordnet | 1:3.0-10 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordnet | 1:3.0-10 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordnet | 1:3.0-10 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | wordnet | 1:2.1-4+etch1 | DSA-1634-1 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | wordnet | 3.0-43 | — |
| Azure Linux 2 (CBL-Mariner) | wordnet | 3.0-38 | — |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1634-1 wordnet - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 30242 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:182 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=211491
- 31654 third-party-advisory
- 32184 third-party-advisory
- wordnet-searchwn-bo(42378) vdb-entry
- DSA-1634 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200810-01 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-1527 vdb-entry
- 29208 vdb-entry