Stack-based buffer overflow in the check_file_head function in extra.c in mcrypt 2.6.8…
Priority MEDIUM 46CWE-119Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Medium
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Partial · Partial · Partial
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-119 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
Stack-based buffer overflow in the check_file_head function in extra.c in mcrypt 2.6.8 and earlier allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an encrypted file with a crafted header containing long salt data that is not properly handled during decryption.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.15084 96th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 2.6.8 | Vulnerable | Mcrypt |
| cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.4 | Vulnerable | Mcrypt |
| cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.5 | Vulnerable | Mcrypt |
| cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.6 | Vulnerable | Mcrypt |
| cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.7 | Vulnerable | Mcrypt |
- cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 2.6.8 Vulnerable ·Mcrypt
- cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.4 Vulnerable ·Mcrypt
- cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.5 Vulnerable ·Mcrypt
- cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.6 Vulnerable ·Mcrypt
- cpe:2.3:a:mcrypt:mcrypt:2.6.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.7 Vulnerable ·Mcrypt
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2012-4409
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-x2pj-g5q5-wh2x
References
More Mcrypt vulnerabilities
- TI-2012-03867 Stack-based buffer overflow in mcrypt 2.6.8 and earlier allows user-assisted remote… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.8
- TI-2012-03768 Multiple format string vulnerabilities in mcrypt 2.6.8 and earlier might allow… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.8
Sources
- CVE-2012-4409 · CVE Program
- CVE-2012-4409 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-x2pj-g5q5-wh2x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2012-4409 · 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