Exuberant Ctags Tag Filename sort.c externalSortTags os command injection

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Exuberant Ctags. Affected by this vulnerability is the function externalSortTags of the file sort.c of the component Tag Filename Handler. Performing a manipulation results in os command injection. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2022-4515. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Exuberant Ctags (the affected version is unknown). This affects the function externalSortTags of the file sort.c of the component Tag Filename Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A flaw was found in Exuberant Ctags in the way it handles the "-o" option. This option specifies the tag filename. A crafted tag filename specified in the command line or in the configuration file results in arbitrary command execution because the externalSortTags() in sort.c calls the system(3) function in an unsafe way.

The weakness was released 12/21/2022. The advisory is shared at sourceforge.net. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-4515 since 12/15/2022. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1202 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 234996 (Amazon Linux AMI : ctags (ALAS-2025-1974)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (234996) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2023-1238). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Oracle Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • RESF Rocky Linux

Productinfo

Name

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Os command injection
CWE: CWE-78 / CWE-77 / CWE-74
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 234996
Nessus Name: Amazon Linux AMI : ctags (ALAS-2025-1974)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/15/2022 🔍
12/21/2022 +6 days 🔍
12/21/2022 +0 days 🔍
01/04/2026 +1110 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: DLA 3254-1
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-4515 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-4515
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-216381
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2023-1238 - Red Hat Enterprise Linux: Mehrere Schwachstellen in verschiedenen Komponenten

Entryinfo

Created: 12/21/2022 08:00
Updated: 01/04/2026 02:16
Changes: 12/21/2022 08:00 (39), 01/21/2023 09:52 (1), 04/14/2025 23:33 (32), 04/30/2025 13:13 (3), 01/04/2026 02:16 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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