Description
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in client/client.c in smbclient in Samba 3.2.0 through 3.2.12 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a filename.
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 | samba | 2:3.3.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | samba | 2:3.3.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | samba | 2:3.3.6-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | samba | 2:3.2.5-4lenny6 | DSA-1823-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | cifs-utils | 6.5-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10334-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | samba | 4.5.0-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10069-1 |
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
- Samba 3.3.5 - Format String / Security Bypass EDB-33053 · remote · May 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
- DSA-1823-1 samba - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10069-1 ctdb-4.5.0-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10334-1 cifs-utils-6.5-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- ADV-2009-1664 vdb-entry
- DSA-1823 vendor-advisory
- http://www.samba.org/samba/security/CVE-2009-1886.html
- 35573 third-party-advisory
- 35606 third-party-advisory
- SSA:2009-177-01 vendor-advisory
- 35472 vdb-entry
- USN-839-1 vendor-advisory
- 35539 third-party-advisory
- 1022441 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.samba.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6478
- 36918 third-party-advisory
- http://www.samba.org/samba/ftp/patches/security/samba-3.2.12-CVE-2009-1886.patch
- MDVSA-2009:196 vendor-advisory
- samba-smbclient-format-string(51328) vdb-entry