Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the _nc_write_entry function in tinfo/write_entry.c in ncurses 6.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted terminfo file, as demonstrated by tic.
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 | ncurses | 6.0+20171125-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | ncurses | 6.0+20171125-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | ncurses | 6.0+20171125-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | ncurses | 6.0+20160213-1ubuntu1+esm2 | USN-5477-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | ncurses | 5.9+20140118-1ubuntu1+esm2 | USN-5477-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | ncurses | 5.6-93.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:3183-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | ncurses | 5.6-93.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:3183-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
Show 16 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.9 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.8 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.7 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.6 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.5 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.4 | ncurses | 6.0_p20171125-r0 | — |
Advisories 2
- USN-5477-1 ncurses vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 29, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:3183-1 Security update for ncurses SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/145045/GNU-ncurses-6.0-tic-Denial-Of-Service.html
- GLSA-201804-13 vendor-advisory
- http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/NEWS.html#t20171125
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewAlert.x?alertId=57695
- [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