Description
The slapper function in chkrootkit before 0.50 does not properly quote file paths, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse executable. NOTE: this is only a vulnerability when /tmp is not mounted with the noexec option.
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 | chkrootkit | 0.49-5 | — |
| Debian 13 | chkrootkit | 0.49-5 | — |
| Debian 12 | chkrootkit | 0.49-5 | — |
| Debian 7 | chkrootkit | 0.49-4.1+deb7u2 | DSA-2945-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | chkrootkit | 0.49-4+deb6u1 | DLA-0002-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | chkrootkit | 0.49-4.1ubuntu1.14.04.1 | USN-2230-1 |
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
-
Chkrootkit Local Privilege Escalation
exploit/unix/local/chkrootkit
Exploit-DB 2
- Chkrootkit - Local Privilege Escalation (Metasploit) EDB-38775 · local · Nov 20, 2015 · verified
- Chkrootkit 0.49 - Local Privilege Escalation EDB-33899 · local · Jun 28, 2014 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- DSA-2945-1 chkrootkit - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-0002-1 chkrootkit - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-2230-1 chkrootkit vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- http://www.chkrootkit.org/
- [oss-security] 20140604 CVE-2014-0476 chkrootkit vulnerability mailing-list
- GLSA-201709-05 vendor-advisory
- USN-2230-1 vendor-advisory
- 107710 vdb-entry
- DSA-2945 vendor-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/134484/Chkrootkit-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- 38775 exploit