Description
Integer overflow in the __tzfile_read function in glibc before 2.15 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted timezone (TZ) file, as demonstrated using vsftpd.
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 | glibc | 2.13-24 | — |
| Debian 13 | glibc | 2.13-24 | — |
| Debian 12 | glibc | 2.13-24 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | nscd +7 | 2.12-1.47.el6_2.5 | RHSA-2012:0058 |
| RHEL 5 | nscd +6 | 2.5-65.el5_7.3 | RHSA-2012:0126 |
| RHEL 4 | nscd +8 | 2.3.4-2.57 | RHSA-2012:0125 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | glibc | 2.24-2.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10154-1 |
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
- GNU glibc - Timezone Parsing Remote Integer Overflow EDB-36404 · dos · Jun 1, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2012:0125 Red Hat Security Advisory: glibc security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0126 Red Hat Security Advisory: glibc security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0058 Red Hat Security Advisory: glibc security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10154-1 glibc-2.24-2.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [libc-alpha] 20111215 integer overflow to heap overrun exploit in glibc mailing-list
- http://dividead.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/glibc-timezone-integer-overflow/
- http://sourceware.org/git/?p=glibc.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=97ac2654b2d831acaa18a2b018b0736245903fd2
- 20111203 VSFTPD Remote Heap Overrun (low severity) mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=761245