Description
The X.Org X wrapper (xserver-wrapper.c) in Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu Linux does not properly verify the TTY of a user who is starting X, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions by associating stdin with a file that is misinterpreted as the console TTY.
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 | xorg | 1:7.6+10 | — |
| Debian 13 | xorg | 1:7.6+10 | — |
| Debian 12 | xorg | 1:7.6+10 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | xorg | 1:7.5+8+squeeze1 | DSA-2364-1 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- X.Org xorg 1.4 < 1.11.2 - File Permission Change EDB-18040 · local · Oct 28, 2011
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-2364-1 xorg - incorrect permission check Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=652249
- USN-1349-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2364 vendor-advisory