Description
Multiple integer signedness errors in the (1) process_bin_sasl_auth, (2) process_bin_complete_sasl_auth, (3) process_bin_update, and (4) process_bin_append_prepend functions in Memcached 1.4.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a large body length value in a packet.
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 | memcached | 1.4.13-0.3 | — |
| Debian 13 | memcached | 1.4.13-0.3 | — |
| Debian 12 | memcached | 1.4.13-0.3 | — |
| Debian 7 | memcached | 1.4.13-0.2+deb7u1 | DSA-2832-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | memcached | 1.4.5-1+deb6u1 | DSA-2832-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | memcached | 1.4.39-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:0778-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 6 | memcached | 1.4.39-3.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:0807-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | memcached | 1.4.39-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:0778-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | memcached | 1.4.33-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10021-1 |
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.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Memcached Remote Denial of Service
auxiliary/dos/misc/memcached
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- DSA-2832-1 memcached - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0778-1 Security update for memcached SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:0807-1 Security update for memcached SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10021-1 memcached-1.4.33-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://insecurety.net/?p=872
- MDVSA-2013:280 vendor-advisory
- https://code.google.com/p/memcached/issues/detail?id=192
- USN-2080-1 vendor-advisory
- 59567 vdb-entry
- https://puppet.com/security/cve/cve-2011-4971
- DSA-2832 vendor-advisory
- 56183 third-party-advisory