CVE-2009-4014 in Lintian
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in Lintian 1.23.x through 1.23.28, 1.24.x through 1.24.2.1, and 2.x before 2.3.2 allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via vectors involving (1) check scripts and (2) the Lintian::Schedule module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4014 represents a critical format string flaw affecting Lintian versions ranging from 1.23.x through 1.23.28, 1.24.x through 1.24.2.1, and early 2.x releases prior to 2.3.2. This issue resides within the core functionality of Lintian, a tool designed to check for common packaging errors in debian packages and verify adherence to debian policy guidelines. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors involving check scripts and the Lintian::Schedule module, creating multiple pathways for exploitation that could potentially compromise the integrity and availability of systems relying on this packaging validation tool.
Format string vulnerabilities occur when a program uses user-supplied data as format strings without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the format string parsing mechanism. In the context of Lintian, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can lead to arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically affects how the tool processes data from external sources during package analysis, particularly when handling check scripts and schedule module operations. These components are integral to Lintian's functionality as they determine which checks to perform and when to execute them, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable Lintian versions. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability could lead to various consequences including privilege escalation, data corruption, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context. Given that Lintian is commonly used in automated build environments and continuous integration pipelines, an exploited vulnerability could provide attackers with persistent access to development infrastructure and potentially enable them to modify package contents or inject malicious code into distribution channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4014 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Lintian versions to 2.3.2 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the format string vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable Lintian versions and consider disabling unnecessary check scripts that might be susceptible to format string attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134 which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities in programming languages that support printf-style formatting, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through compromised build systems. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous format string patterns in Lintian logs and implementing strict input validation for all external data sources that Lintian processes during package analysis operations.