Description
The (1) ssh2_load_userkey and (2) ssh2_save_userkey functions in PuTTY 0.51 through 0.63 do not properly wipe SSH-2 private keys from memory, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the memory.
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 | putty | 0.63-10 | — |
| Debian 13 | putty | 0.63-10 | — |
| Debian 12 | putty | 0.63-10 | — |
| Debian 7 | putty | 0.62-9+deb7u2 | DSA-3190-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | putty | 0.60+2010-02-20-1+squeeze3 | DLA-173-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | putty | 0.63-4ubuntu0.1 | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | putty | 0.67-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10374-1 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-3190-1 putty - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-173-1 putty - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10374-1 putty-0.67-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/changes.html
- FEDORA-2015-3160 vendor-advisory
- 72825 vdb-entry
- DSA-3190 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-3070 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20150228 CVE Request: PuTTY fails to clear private key information from memory mailing-list
- http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/wishlist/private-key-not-wiped-2.html
- [oss-security] 20150228 Re: CVE Request: PuTTY fails to clear private key information from memory mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0474 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2015-3204 vendor-advisory