Description
Buffer overflow in the ulSetError function in util/ulError.cxx in PLIB 1.8.5, as used in TORCS 1.3.1 and other products, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a long error message, as demonstrated by a crafted acc file for TORCS. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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 | plib | 1.8.5-5.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | plib | 1.8.5-5.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | plib | 1.8.5-5.1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | plib | 1.8.5-5+squeeze1 | DSA-2425-1 |
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
- TORCS 1.3.1 - acc Buffer Overflow EDB-18258 · local · Dec 20, 2011 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-2425-1 plib - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 51340 third-party-advisory
- 47297 third-party-advisory
- 18258 exploit
- GLSA-201606-16 vendor-advisory
- 77973 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2012:1506 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20111221 plib ulSetError() buffer overflow - CVE-2011-4620 mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2013:0146 vendor-advisory