Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the FascistGecosUser function in lib/fascist.c in cracklib allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) or gain privileges via a long GECOS field, involving longbuffer.
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 | cracklib2 | 2.9.2-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | cracklib2 | 2.9.2-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | cracklib2 | 2.9.2-2 | — |
| Debian 8 | cracklib2 | 2.9.2-1+deb8u1 | DLA-2220-1 |
| Debian 7 | cracklib2 | 2.8.19-3+deb7u1 | DLA-599-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | cracklib2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | cracklib2 | No fix yet | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | cracklib | 2.9.0-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2107-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | cracklib | 2.8.12-56.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2211-1 |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Studio Onsite 1.3 | cracklib | 2.8.12-56.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2211-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | cracklib | 2.9.0-7.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2107-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | cracklib | 2.8.12-56.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2211-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
Show 10 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | cracklib | 2.9.7-r0 | — |
Advisories 4
- DLA-599-1 cracklib2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2220-1 cracklib2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2107-1 Security update for cracklib SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2211-1 Security update for cracklib SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20160816 cracklib: Stack-based buffer overflow when parsing large GECOS field mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2016:2204 vendor-advisory
- 92478 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201612-25 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200524 [SECURITY] [DLA 2220-1] cracklib2 security update mailing-list
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210628 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 mailing-list
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210629 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 mailing-list