Description
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) hetro file to the getnum function in util/heti_main.c or (2) PVOC file to the getnum function in util/pv_import.c.
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 | csound | 1:5.16.6~dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | csound | 1:5.16.6~dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | csound | 1:5.16.6~dfsg-1 | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | csound | 5.18.02-7.10 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10575-1 |
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.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Csound hetro File Handling Stack Buffer Overflow
exploit/windows/fileformat/csound_getnum_bof
Exploit-DB 1
- Csound - '.hetro' File Handling Stack Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) EDB-18710 · local · Apr 6, 2012 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10575-1 csound-5.18.02-7.10 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2012-3/
- 47585 third-party-advisory
- http://sourceforge.net/projects/csound/files/csound5/csound5.16/Version5.16_Notes/view
- openSUSE-SU-2012:0315 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2012:0370 vendor-advisory