Description
wall in util-linux through 2.40, often installed with setgid tty permissions, allows escape sequences to be sent to other users' terminals through argv. (Specifically, escape sequences received from stdin are blocked, but escape sequences received from argv are not blocked.) There may be plausible scenarios where this leads to account takeover.
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 | util-linux | 2.39.3-11 | — |
| Debian 13 | util-linux | 2.39.3-11 | — |
| Debian 12 | util-linux | 2.38.1-5+deb12u1 | DSA-5650-1 |
| Debian 11 | util-linux | 2.36.1-8+deb11u2 | DSA-5650-1 |
| Debian 10 | util-linux | 2.33.1-0.1+deb10u1 | DLA-3782-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | util-linux | 2.39.3-9ubuntu6 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | util-linux | 2.37.2-4ubuntu3.4 | USN-6719-2, USN-6719-1 |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | util-linux | 2.34-0.1ubuntu9.6 | USN-6719-2, USN-6719-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | util-linux | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | util-linux | No fix yet | — |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | util-linux | No fix yet | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP6 | util-linux +1 | 2.39.3-150600.4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1943-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.4-150500.9.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1172-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | util-linux +1 | 2.33.2-150100.4.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1106-1 |
Show 18 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP5 | util-linux +2 | 2.33.2-4.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1171-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | util-linux +1 | 2.33.2-150100.4.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1106-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | util-linux +2 | 2.33.2-4.36.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1171-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.1 | util-linux +1 | 2.40.4-slfo.1.1_1.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:20304-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | util-linux +1 | 2.39.3-3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:20003-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.4-150500.9.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1172-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | util-linux +1 | 2.33.2-150100.4.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1106-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | util-linux +1 | 2.36.2-150300.4.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | util-linux | 2.40.2-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:14523-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | util-linux +2 | 2.39.3-150600.4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1943-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | util-linux +2 | 2.37.4-150500.9.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1172-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.4 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.3 | util-linux +1 | 2.37.2-150400.8.29.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | util-linux | 2.40-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | util-linux | 2.40-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | util-linux | 2.40-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | util-linux | 2.40-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | util-linux | 2.40-r0 | — |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | util-linux | 2.39.2-2 | — |
| Azure Linux 2 (CBL-Mariner) | util-linux | 2.37.4-9 | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
GitHub 2 repositories
-
skyler-ferrante/CVE-2024-28085 ★ 56 · Mar 11, 2024
WallEscape vulnerability in util-linux
-
oditynet/sleepall ★ 2 · Aug 27, 2024
trojan CVE-2024-28085 CVE 28085
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 21
- SSA-082556 SSA-082556: Vulnerabilities in the additional GNU/Linux subsystem of the SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518(F)-4 PN/DP MFP V3.1.5 Siemens ProductCERT · Oct 13, 2026
- ICSA-25-162-05 Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU family CISA ICS & IT advisories · May 14, 2026
- USN-6719-1 util-linux vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- USN-6719-2 util-linux vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:20304-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:20003-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- DSA-5650-1 util-linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-3782-1 util-linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1943-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1172-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1106-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1169-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:14523-1 libblkid-devel-2.40.2-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1171-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:1170-1 Security update for util-linux SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- NCSC-2025-0382 Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Siemens producten NCSC-NL (Netherlands) · Dec 9, 2025
- SSA-202008 SSA-202008: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Ruggedcom Rox Before V2.17.0 Siemens ProductCERT · Dec 9, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-3377 Dell PowerProtect Data Domain: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 12, 2025
- WID-SEC-2025-0225 Dell PowerProtect Data Domain: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 1, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-0734 util-linux: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Umgehen von Sicherheitsvorkehrungen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 31, 2025
- NCSC-2025-0187 Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Siemens producten NCSC-NL (Netherlands) · Jun 10, 2025
References
- https://people.rit.edu/sjf5462/6831711781/wall_2_27_2024.txt
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-xv2h-c6ww-mrjq
- https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/5
- https://github.com/skyler-ferrante/CVE-2024-28085
- [debian-lts-announce] 20240407 [SECURITY] [DLA 3782-1] util-linux security update mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240328 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240327 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240328 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240327 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240327 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240328 Re: Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240328 Re: CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20240327 CVE-2024-28085: Escape sequence injection in util-linux wall mailing-list
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240531-0003/