Description
Off-by-one error in the extracthalf function in dpkg-deb/extract.c in the dpkg-deb component in Debian dpkg 1.16.x before 1.16.17 and 1.17.x before 1.17.26 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the archive magic version number in an "old-style" Debian binary package, which triggers a stack-based buffer overflow.
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 | dpkg | 1.18.4 | — |
| Debian 13 | dpkg | 1.18.4 | — |
| Debian 12 | dpkg | 1.18.4 | — |
| Debian 8 | dpkg | 1.17.26 | DSA-3407-1 |
| Debian 7 | dpkg | 1.16.17 | DSA-3407-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | dpkg | 1.17.5ubuntu5.5 | USN-2820-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | update-alternatives | 1.16.10-12.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1096-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | update-alternatives | 1.16.10-12.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1096-1 |
Advisories 3
- USN-2820-1 dpkg vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-3407-1 dpkg - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:1096-1 Security update for dpkg SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=798324
- https://anonscm.debian.org/cgit/dpkg/dpkg.git/commit/dpkg-deb/extract.c?id=e65aa3db04eb908c9507d5d356a95cedb890814d
- GLSA-201612-07 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3407 vendor-advisory
- https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/30-Stack-overflows-and-out-of-bounds-read-in-dpkg-Debian.html
- USN-2820-1 vendor-advisory