Description
In NetHack before 3.6.5, an extremely long value for the MENUCOLOR configuration file option can cause a buffer overflow resulting in a crash or remote code execution/privilege escalation. This vulnerability affects systems that have NetHack installed suid/sgid and shared systems that allow users to upload their own configuration files. Users should upgrade to NetHack 3.6.5.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NetHack | NetHack | < 3.6.5 | — |
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 | nethack | 3.6.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | nethack | 3.6.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | nethack | 3.6.6-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | nethack | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | nethack | No fix yet | — |