Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the split_redraw function in split.c in mtr before 0.73, when invoked with the -p (aka --split) option, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DNS PTR record. NOTE: it could be argued that this is a vulnerability in the ns_name_ntop function in resolv/ns_name.c in glibc and the proper fix should be in glibc; if so, then this should not be treated as a vulnerability in mtr.
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 | mtr | 0.73-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | mtr | 0.73-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | mtr | 0.73-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | mtr | 0.71-2etch1 | DSA-1587-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1587-1 mtr - execution of arbitrary code Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 30340 third-party-advisory
- 30522 third-party-advisory
- 20080519 Mtr - remote and local stack overflow - uncomment situation in libresolv. mailing-list
- 30312 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:176 vendor-advisory
- 29290 vdb-entry
- GLSA-200806-01 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20080521 Re: CVE request: mtr mailing-list
- 30967 third-party-advisory
- 30359 third-party-advisory
- mtr-splitredraw-bo(42535) vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20080521 Re: CVE request: mtr mailing-list
- 3903 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1587 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:014 vendor-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0175
- 20080519 Mtr - remote and local stack overflow - uncomment situation in libresolv. mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20080521 Re: CVE request: mtr mailing-list
- 1020046 vdb-entry
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2558