GNU zlib 1.1.4 gzprintf memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in GNU zlib 1.1.4 and classified as critical. The affected element is the function gzprintf. This manipulation causes memory corruption. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2003-0107. Additionally, an exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in GNU zlib 1.1.4 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function gzprintf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Buffer overflow in the gzprintf function in zlib 1.1.4, when zlib is compiled without vsnprintf or when long inputs are truncated using vsnprintf, allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code.

The bug was discovered 02/21/2003. The weakness was released 02/21/2003 by Richard Kettlewell as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). It is possible to read the advisory at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0107. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

After immediately, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is possible to download the exploit at marc.theaimsgroup.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 14017 (Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : zlib (MDKSA-2003:033)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Mandriva Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115008 (Red Hat Zlib Compression Library gzprintf() Buffer Overrun Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 4 weeks after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11381), Exploit-DB (22273), Tenable (14017), SecurityFocus (BID 6913†) and OSVDB (6599†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-20934, VDB-20935, VDB-20936 and VDB-20937. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 14017
Nessus Name: Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : zlib (MDKSA-2003:033)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
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Qualys ID: 🔍
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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
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Timelineinfo

02/21/2003 🔍
02/21/2003 +0 days 🔍
02/21/2003 +0 days 🔍
02/21/2003 +0 days 🔍
02/23/2003 +2 days 🔍
03/07/2003 +12 days 🔍
03/18/2003 +11 days 🔍
06/04/2004 +444 days 🔍
07/31/2004 +56 days 🔍
01/12/2005 +165 days 🔍
04/05/2007 +813 days 🔍
08/07/2014 +2681 days 🔍
08/25/2025 +4036 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: gnu.org

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Researcher: Richard Kettlewell
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-0107 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0107
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20191
CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 11381
SecurityFocus: 6913 - Zlib Compression Library gzprintf() Buffer Overrun Vulnerability
Secunia: 24788 - VMware ESX Server Multiple Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 6599 - zlib gzprintf() Local Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 6829 - Buffer Overflow in zlib 1.1.4 via gzprintf Function, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/07/2014 18:15
Updated: 08/25/2025 04:10
Changes: 08/07/2014 18:15 (81), 05/29/2019 11:09 (3), 10/20/2024 16:07 (17), 11/12/2024 02:24 (1), 08/25/2025 04:10 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:93F:103

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