Description
The vino_server_client_data_pending function in vino-server.c in GNOME Vino 2.26.1, 2.32.1, 3.7.3, and earlier, and 3.8 when encryption is disabled, does not properly clear client data when an error causes the connection to close during authentication, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop, CPU and disk consumption) via multiple crafted requests during authentication.
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 12 | vino | 3.10.1-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | vino | 2.28.1-9.el6_4 | RHSA-2013:1452 |
| RHEL 5 | vino | 2.13.5-10.el5_10 | RHSA-2013:1452 |
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
- Vino VNC Server 3.7.3 - Persistent Denial of Service EDB-28338 · dos · Sep 17, 2013 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2013:1452 Red Hat Security Advisory: vino security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=641811
- https://www.trustwave.com/spiderlabs/advisories/TWSL2013-028.txt
- RHSA-2013:1452 vendor-advisory
- 55090 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=707905
- USN-1980-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2013:1631 vendor-advisory