Description
GNU patch 2.7.1 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack in a patch file.
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 | patch | 2.7.1-7 | — |
| Debian 13 | patch | 2.7.1-7 | — |
| Debian 12 | patch | 2.7.1-7 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | patch | 2.7.1-4ubuntu2.3 | USN-2651-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 | patch | 2.7.5-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:1019-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 | patch | 2.7.5-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:1019-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | patch | 2.7.5-1.112 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10379-1 |
Advisories 3
- USN-2651-1 patch vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:1019-1 Security update for patch SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10379-1 patch-2.7.5-1.112 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/patch.git/commit/?id=4e9269a5fc1fe80a1095a92593dd85db871e1fd3
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2015-2511963.html
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1182154
- 72074 vdb-entry
- https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=775227
- [oss-security] 20150118 Re: CVE request: directory traversal flaw in patch mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0199 vendor-advisory
- gnupatch-unspecified-symlink(99967) vdb-entry