Description
The dbus_signature_validate function in the D-bus library (libdbus) before 1.2.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application abort) via a message containing a malformed signature, which triggers a failed assertion error.
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 | dbus | 1.2.1-4 | — |
| Debian 13 | dbus | 1.2.1-4 | — |
| Debian 12 | dbus | 1.2.1-4 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | dbus | 1.0.2-1+etch2 | DSA-1658-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | dbus +2 | 1.0.0-7.el5_2.1 | RHSA-2009:0008 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | dbus-1 | 1.12.20-5.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10711-1 |
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.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- D-Bus Daemon < 1.2.4 - 'libdbus' Denial of Service EDB-7822 · dos · Jan 19, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2009:0008 Red Hat Security Advisory: dbus security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1658-1 dbus - denial of service Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10711-1 dbus-1-1.12.20-5.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- MDVSA-2008:213 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1658 vendor-advisory
- 31602 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2012:1418 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=17803
- 1021063 vdb-entry
- dbus-dbusvalidatesignaturewithreason-dos(45701) vdb-entry
- 7822 exploit
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2008-3834
- 32385 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:027 vendor-advisory
- 32281 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-8764 vendor-advisory
- http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/dbus#head-dad0dab297a44f1d7a3b1259cfc06b583fd6a88a
- 32230 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10253 vdb-entry signature
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10705
- ADV-2008-2762 vdb-entry
- 33396 third-party-advisory
- 32127 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0008 vendor-advisory
- USN-653-1 vendor-advisory