Description
The MScrollV function in ansi.c in GNU screen 4.3.1 and earlier does not properly limit recursion, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack consumption) via an escape sequence with a large repeat count value.
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 | screen | 4.3.1-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | screen | 4.3.1-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | screen | 4.3.1-2 | — |
| Debian 8 | screen | 4.2.1-3+deb8u1 | DSA-3352-1 |
| Debian 7 | screen | 4.1.0~20120320gitdb59704-7+deb7u1 | DSA-3352-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 6.0 | screen | 4.0.3-14+deb6u1 | DLA-305-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | screen | 4.1.0~20120320gitdb59704-9ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-3996-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP4 | screen | 4.0.4-23.3.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1354-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | screen | 4.0.4-23.3.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1354-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | screen | 4.0.4-23.3.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1354-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | screen | 4.0.4-23.3.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:1354-1 |
Advisories 4
- DSA-3352-1 screen - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-305-1 screen - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3996-1 GNU Screen vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:1354-1 Security update for screen SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20150904 Re: CVE request: screen stack overflow (deep recursion) mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20150901 CVE request: screen stack overflow (deep recursion) mailing-list
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/screen.git/commit/?id=b7484c224738247b510ed0d268cd577076958f1b
- [oss-security] 20150903 AW: Re: CVE request: screen stack overflow (deep recursion) mailing-list
- https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?45713
- DSA-3352 vendor-advisory
- USN-3996-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2019:1485 vendor-advisory