Description
rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Integer Underflow that leads to a Heap-Based Buffer Overflow in the function lspci_process() and results in memory corruption and probably even a remote code execution.
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 | rdesktop | 1.8.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | rdesktop | 1.8.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | rdesktop | 1.8.4-1 | — |
| Debian 9 | rdesktop | 1.8.4-1~deb9u1 | DSA-4394-1 |
| Debian 8 | rdesktop | 1.8.4-0+deb8u1 | DLA-1683-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | rdesktop | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | rdesktop | No fix yet | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP1 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-bp151.2.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:2135-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | rdesktop | 1.9.0-4.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11298-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-bp151.2.3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:2135-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
Show 10 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | rdesktop | 1.8.6-r0 | — |
Advisories 4
- DSA-4394-1 rdesktop - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1683-1 rdesktop - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11298-1 rdesktop-1.9.0-4.6 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2135-1 Security update for rdesktop SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 106938 vdb-entry
- https://github.com/rdesktop/rdesktop/commit/4dca546d04321a610c1835010b5dad85163b65e1
- GLSA-201903-06 vendor-advisory
- https://research.checkpoint.com/reverse-rdp-attack-code-execution-on-rdp-clients/
- DSA-4394 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190219 [SECURITY] [DLA 1683-1] rdesktop security update mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2135 vendor-advisory