Description
GNU Chess 6.2.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PGN (Portable Game Notation) data. This is related to a buffer overflow in the use of a .tmp.epd temporary file in the cmd_pgnload and cmd_pgnreplay functions in frontend/cmd.cc.
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 | 6.2.9-0.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-0.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | gnuchess | 6.2.7-1+deb12u1 | — |
| Debian 11 | gnuchess | 6.2.7-1+deb11u1 | DLA-4014-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | gnuchess | 6.2.7-1+deb11u1build0.24.04.1 | USN-7336-1 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | gnuchess | 6.2.7-1+deb11u1build0.22.04.1 | USN-7336-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | gnuchess | 6.2.9-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10799-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
Show 5 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | gnuchess | 6.2.9-r0 | — |
Advisories 3
- DLA-4014-1 gnuchess - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-7336-1 gnuchess vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10799-1 gnuchess-6.2.9-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-gnu-chess/2021-04/msg00000.html
- https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-gnu-chess/2021-04/msg00001.html
- FEDORA-2021-a58cb9bc7a vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2021-2c714d311f vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2021-ff3297913b vendor-advisory
- GLSA-202107-28 vendor-advisory