Description
The bmexec_trans function in kwset.c in grep 2.19 through 2.21 allows local users to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap read and crash) via crafted input when using the -F 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 | grep | 2.20-4.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | grep | 2.20-4.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | grep | 2.20-4.1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | grep | 2.20-2.el7 | RHSA-2015:2111 |
| RHEL 6 | grep | 2.20-3.el6 | RHSA-2015:1447 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | grep | 2.27-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10248-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | grep | 2.20-2.el7 | ELSA-2015-2111 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2015:1447 Red Hat Security Advisory: grep security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2015:2111 Red Hat Security Advisory: grep security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 27, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10248-1 grep-2.27-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- ELSA-2015-2111 Low: grep security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 23, 2015
References
- http://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=19563
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html
- RHSA-2015:1447 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0243 vendor-advisory
- 72281 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20150122 Re: CVE request: grep heap buffer overrun mailing-list
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/grep.git/commit/?id=83a95bd8c8561875b948cadd417c653dbe7ef2e2