Out-of-bounds write in ettercap
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-787 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
The GTK version of ettercap uses a global settings file at /tmp/.ettercap_gtk and does not verify ownership of this file. When parsing this file for settings in gtkui_conf_read() (src/interfacesgtk/ec_gtk_conf.c), an unchecked sscanf() call allows a maliciously placed settings file to overflow a statically-sized buffer on the stack.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | ettercap | ettercap 0.7.5 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- ettercap Vendor— Affected ettercap 0.7.5 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:ettercap-project:ettercap:0.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 0.7.3 | Vulnerable | Ettercap-project |
- cpe:2.3:a:ettercap-project:ettercap:0.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 0.7.3 Vulnerable ·Ettercap-project
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2010-3843
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-2w85-hj5c-563j
References
More Ettercap-project Ettercap vulnerabilities
- TI-2014-05261 Heap-based buffer overflow in the dissector_postgresql function in… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2010-03651 Buffer overflow in ettercap CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2014-07610 The radius_get_attribute function in dissectors/ec_radius.c in Ettercap 0.8.1 performs an… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2014-07608 Heap-based buffer overflow in the nbns_spoof function in plug-ins/nbns_spoof/nbns_spoof.c… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2014-07607 Integer underflow in Ettercap 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2014-07609 Ettercap 0.8.1 does not validate certain return values, which allows remote attackers to… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2010-3843 · CVE Program
- CVE-2010-3843 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-2w85-hj5c-563j · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2010-3843 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences