Description
The parse_datetime function in GNU coreutils allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted date string, as demonstrated by the "--date=TZ="123"345" @1" string to the touch or date command.
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 | coreutils | 8.23-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | coreutils | 8.23-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | coreutils | 8.23-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | coreutils | 8.21-1ubuntu5.1 | USN-2473-1 |
Advisories 1
- USN-2473-1 coreutils vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- MDVSA-2015:179 vendor-advisory
- http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2015-0029.html
- [oss-security] 20141125 AW: parse_datetime() bug in coreutils mailing-list
- http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=16872
- GLSA-201612-22 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141124 parse_datetime() bug in coreutils mailing-list
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=766147
- [oss-security] 20150103 Re: parse_datetime() bug in coreutils mailing-list
- 62226 third-party-advisory
- USN-2473-1 vendor-advisory