GNU glibc: Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (CVE-2015-0235)
Published Sources: CVE.org
What is affected, what to do
Heap-based buffer overflow in the __nss_hostname_digits_dots function in glibc 2.2, and other 2.x versions before 2.18, allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the (1) gethostbyname or (2) gethostbyname2 function, aka "GHOST."
An exploit is publicly available. The available sources name no fixed version. Check the vendor guidance in the references below.
Conflicting version data — version display is hidden until the data is resolved.
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Metrics
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Priority
No value is available for this vulnerability.
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CVSS v3
No value is available for this vulnerability.
94.6 %
EPSS score
High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 99.85
Show all metrics
- Severity
- Not rated
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 79.76 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- PoC (publicly reported)
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 94.6 %
- High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 99.85
- Critical — this CVE ranks in the top fifth of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 80%).
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- Handle the vulnerability in regular vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the __nss_hostname_digits_dots function in glibc 2.2, and other 2.x versions before 2.18, allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the (1) gethostbyname or (2) gethostbyname2 function, aka "GHOST."
Source: NVD (NIST), cvelistv5
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| gnu | glibc |
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| ibm | pureapplication_system |
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| ibm | security_access_manager_for_enterprise_single_sign-on |
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| oracle | communications_application_session_controller |
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| oracle | communications_eagle_application_processor |
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| oracle | communications_eagle_lnp_application_processor |
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| oracle | communications_lsms |
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| oracle | communications_policy_management |
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| oracle | communications_session_border_controller |
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| oracle | communications_user_data_repository |
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| oracle | communications_webrtc_session_controller |
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| oracle | exalogic_infrastructure |
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| oracle | vm_virtualbox |
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| php | php |
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| redhat | virtualization |
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Vendors and products
- Apple Apple macOS
- Debian Debian Linux
- GNU GNU glibc
- IBM IBM PureApplication System
- IBM IBM Security Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On
- Oracle Oracle Communications Application Session Controller
- Oracle Oracle Communications EAGLE Application Processor
- Oracle Oracle Communications Eagle Lnp Application Processor
- Oracle Communications Lsms
- Oracle Oracle Communications Policy Management
- Oracle Oracle Communications Session Border Controller
- Oracle Oracle Communications User Data Repository
Affected operating systems
| Linux | debian | debian_linux | 7.0 |
| Linux | debian | debian_linux | 8.0 |
| Linux | oracle | linux | 5 |
| Linux | oracle | linux | 7 |
| macOS | apple | mac_os_x | — |
Public exploit references
Publicly reported proof-of-concepts, exploit modules and detection templates for this vulnerability. NEOSEC links to the original sources only and does not provide any exploit code.
| Reference tagged as exploit | seclists.org (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Reference tagged as exploit | seclists.org (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Reference tagged as exploit | seclists.org (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Reference tagged as exploit | seclists.org (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Reference tagged as exploit | seclists.org (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Reference tagged as exploit | openwall.com (opens in a new tab) | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | Exim ESMTP GHOST Denial Of Service (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | EMC Secure Remote Services GHOST SQL Injection Command Injection (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | Exim GHOST glibc gethostbyname Buffer Overflow (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | WAGO 852 Industrial Managed Switch Series Code Execution Hardcoded Credentials (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | Moxa Command Injection Cross Site Scripting Vulnerable Software (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
| Packet Storm | Nexans FTTO GigaSwitch Outdated Components Hardcoded Backdoor (opens in a new tab)packetstormsecurity.com | PoC (publicly reported)reported, not verified | — |
References & sources
- securityfocus.com72325Vulnerability database, x_refsource_BID, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database
- marc.infoHPSBGN03247Vendor advisory, x_refsource_HP, Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory
- www-01.ibm.comsupport/docview.wss?uid=swg21696131x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- secunia.com62883Third-party advisory, x_refsource_SECUNIA, Not applicable
- secunia.com62691Third-party advisory, x_refsource_SECUNIA, Not applicable
- oracle.comtechnetwork/topics/security/cpujul2015-2367936.htmlx_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- lists.apple.comAPPLE-SA-2015-10-21-4Vendor advisory, x_refsource_APPLE, Mailing list, Third-party advisory
- packetstormsecurity.comfiles/130974/Exim-GHOST-glibc-gethostbyname-Buffer-Overflow.htmlx_refsource_MISC, Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database
- support.apple.comHT205375x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- marc.infoHPSBGN03285Vendor advisory, x_refsource_HP, Issue tracking, Mailing list, Third-party advisory
- seclists.org20150127 GHOST gethostbyname() heap overflow in glibc (CVE-2015-0235)Mailing list, x_refsource_BUGTRAQ, Mailing list, Third-party advisory
- websense.comsupport/article/kbarticle/Vulnerabilities-resolved-in-TRITON-AP…x_refsource_CONFIRM, Broken link, Permissions required
- secunia.com62698Third-party advisory, x_refsource_SECUNIA, Not applicable
- secunia.com62640Third-party advisory, x_refsource_SECUNIA, Not applicable
- securitytracker.com1032909Vulnerability database, x_refsource_SECTRACK, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database
- oracle.comtechnetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2016-2881720.htmlx_refsource_CONFIRM, Patch, Third-party advisory
- bto.bluecoat.comsecurity-advisory/sa90x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- www-01.ibm.comsupport/docview.wss?uid=swg21696618x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- www-01.ibm.comsupport/docview.wss?uid=swg21696600x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third-party advisory
- idirect.netPartners/~/media/Files/CVE/iDirect-Posted-Common-Vulnerabilitie…x_refsource_CONFIRM, Broken link, URL Repurposed
Linked advisories
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2015-0235"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2015-0235.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2015-0235 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>