CVE-2012-2118

Format string vulnerability in the LogVHdrMessageVerb function in os/log.c in X.Org X11 1.11 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute…

published May 18, 2012

CVSS
—
EPSS
3%
Percentile
85.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A crafty format string vulnerability is lurking in the LogVHdrMessageVerb function of X.Org X11 1.11, allowing some mischief with input device names! Think of it like someone slipping a confusing order to a busy restaurant — if the chef misinterprets it, chaos could ensue, leading to a poorly cooked dish or even a food fight! 🍽️ This vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger a denial of service, making the system unresponsive and leaving it vulnerable to further attacks. In the worst case, it could even lead to arbitrary code execution — like inviting a malicious guest into your kitchen and letting them take over!

Put simply

Think of it like someone slipping a confusing order to a busy restaurant — if the chef misinterprets it, chaos could ensue, leading to a poorly cooked dish or even a food fight! 🍽️ The format string vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the input device name with format specifiers, resulting in unexpected behavior and potential system crashes.

What to do

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger a denial of service, making the system unresponsive and leaving it vulnerable to further attacks. In the worst case, it could even lead to arbitrary code execution — like inviting a malicious guest into your kitchen and letting them take over! To mitigate this, check for updates and consider applying patches if available for X.Org X11. Regularly audit your system to ensure that only trusted input devices are configured. 🛡️ You've got this! By staying informed and proactive, you can help keep your systems secure and running smoothly! 🚀

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02659 · 85.5th percentile
Published
2012-05-18T22:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 18 MAY 22:00Z
    Format string vulnerability in the LogVHdrMessageVerb function in os/log.c in X.Org X11 1.11 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute…
    cvelistv5