Description
Multiple buffer overflows in VideoLAN VLC media player 2.0.4 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the (1) freetype renderer and (2) HTML subtitle parser.
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 | vlc | 2.0.5-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | vlc | 2.0.5-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | vlc | 2.0.5-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | vlc | 2.0.3-5+deb7u1 | DSA-2973-1 |
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
- VideoLAN VLC Media Player 2.0.4 - '.swf' Crash (PoC) EDB-23201 · dos · Dec 7, 2012 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-2973-1 vlc - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 59793 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20130319 Re: CVE Request: VLC Buffer overflows mailing-list
- http://www.videolan.org/security/sa1301.html
- 57079 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:17226 vdb-entry signature