Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ValidateMove function in frontend/move.cc in GNU Chess (aka gnuchess) before 6.2.4 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large input, as demonstrated when in UCI mode.
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 | gnuchess | 6.2.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | gnuchess | 6.2.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | gnuchess | 6.2.4-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | gnuchess | No fix yet | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | gnuchess | 6.2.4-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10338-1 |
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10338-1 gnuchess-6.2.4-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20161113 CVE needed? / gnuchess 6.2.4 fixed user input buffer overflow mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20161114 Re: CVE needed? / gnuchess 6.2.4 fixed user input buffer overflow mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20161114 Re: Re: CVE needed? / gnuchess 6.2.4 fixed user input buffer overflow mailing-list
- http://svn.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/chess?revision=134&view=revision
- [bug-gnu-chess] 20151029 Buffer overflow issue in gnuchess mailing-list