Description
changetrack 4.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via CRLF sequences and shell metacharacters in a filename in a directory that is checked by changetrack.
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 | changetrack | 4.5-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | changetrack | 4.5-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | changetrack | 4.5-2 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | changetrack | 4.3-3+lenny1 | DSA-1891-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | changetrack | 4.3-3+etch1 | DSA-1891-1 |
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
- Changetrack 4.3-3 - Local Privilege Escalation EDB-9709 · local · Sep 17, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-1891-1 changetrack - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20090916 CVE id request: changetrack mailing-list
- 36420 vdb-entry
- http://bugs.debian.org/546791
- 36756 third-party-advisory