Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in pcre_compile.c in the Perl-Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) library 7.7 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a regular expression that begins with an option and contains multiple branches.
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 12 | pcre3 | 7.6-2.1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | pcre3 | 7.4-1+lenny2 | DTSA-145-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | pcre3 | 6.7+7.4-4 | DSA-1602-1 |
Advisories 2
- DSA-1602-1 pcre3 - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-145-1 pcre3 - heap-based buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- ADV-2008-2005 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:147 vendor-advisory
- 32746 third-party-advisory
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=228091
- HPSBUX02465 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3549
- ADV-2008-2006 vdb-entry
- GLSA-200811-05 vendor-advisory
- SSRT090085 vendor-advisory
- 31681 vdb-entry
- 30972 third-party-advisory
- USN-624-2 vendor-advisory
- 32454 third-party-advisory
- 30944 third-party-advisory
- 30958 third-party-advisory
- 35074 third-party-advisory
- USN-628-1 vendor-advisory
- 39300 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-6025 vendor-advisory
- http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/glib/2.16/glib-2.16.4.changes
- USN-624-1 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2009-05-12 vendor-advisory
- 30967 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-0833 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2008-6048 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2009:023 vendor-advisory
- 31200 third-party-advisory
- 30916 third-party-advisory
- 32222 third-party-advisory
- 30961 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:014 vendor-advisory
- 30087 vdb-entry
- 30990 third-party-advisory
- TA09-133A third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0305
- ADV-2009-1297 vdb-entry
- DSA-1602 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-2336 vdb-entry
- ADV-2008-2780 vdb-entry
- 30945 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200807-03 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2008-10-09 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3216
- 20081027 rPSA-2008-0305-1 pcre mailing-list
- 35650 third-party-advisory