Description
Directory traversal vulnerability in the read_long_names function in libelf/elf_begin.c in elfutils 0.152 and 0.161 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files to the root directory via a / (slash) in a crafted archive, as demonstrated using the ar program.
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 | elfutils | 0.159-4.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | elfutils | 0.159-4.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | elfutils | 0.159-4.1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | elfutils | 0.158-0ubuntu5.2 | USN-2482-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | elfutils +6 | 0.163-3.el7 | RHEA-2015:2126 |
| RHEL 6 | elfutils +6 | 0.161-3.el6 | RHEA-2015:1302 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 | elfutils | 0.158-6.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:0292-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 | elfutils | 0.158-6.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:0292-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | elfutils | 0.167-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10570-1 |
Advisories 5
- RHEA-2015:2126 Red Hat Enhancement Advisory: elfutils bug fix and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHEA-2015:1302 Red Hat Enhancement Advisory: elfutils bug fix and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- USN-2482-1 elfutils vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10570-1 elfutils-0.167-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:0292-1 Security update for elfutils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
References
- 62560 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141229 CVE request: dir traversal in elfutils mailing-list
- http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2015-0033.html
- FEDORA-2015-0677 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-0692 vendor-advisory
- 62661 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2015:047 vendor-advisory
- https://git.fedorahosted.org/cgit/elfutils.git/commit/?id=147018e729e7c22eeabf15b82d26e4bf68a0d18e
- 61934 third-party-advisory
- [elfutils-devel] 20141227 Directory traversal in `ar` mailing-list
- 71804 vdb-entry