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8.1
CVE-2022-24903: Buffer overflow in TCP syslog server (receiver) components in rsyslog
CVE-2022-24903 · published 4 years ago
Summary
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. Modules for TCP syslog reception have a potential heap buffer overflow when octet-counted framing is used. This can result in a segfault or some other malfunction. As of our understanding, this vulnerability can not be used for remote code executio...
What to do
- Update debian rsyslog to version 8.2204.1-1.
- Update rsyslog rsyslog to version 8.2204.1 or later.
Affected software
| Ecosystem | Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | rsyslog | rsyslog |
< 8.2204.1 cpe:2.3:a:rsyslog:rsyslog:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
| – | fedoraproject | fedora |
35 cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
| – | debian | debian_linux |
9.0 10.0 11.0 cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
| – | netapp | active_iq_unified_manager |
All versions
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:active_iq_unified_manager:-:*:*:*:*:vmware_vsphere:*:* |
| Debian:12 | debian | rsyslog |
< 8.2204.1-1 Fix: upgrade to 8.2204.1-1
|
Original advisory text
Buffer overflow in TCP syslog server (receiver) components in rsyslog
Rsyslog is a rocket-fast system for log processing. Modules for TCP syslog reception have a potential heap buffer overflow when octet-counted framing is used. This can result in a segfault or some other malfunction. As of our understanding, this vulnerability can not be used for remote code execution. But there may still be a slight chance for experts to do that. The bug occurs when the octet count is read. While there is a check for the maximum number of octets, digits are written to a heap buffer even when the octet count is over the maximum, This can be used to overrun the memory buffer. However, once the sequence of digits stop, no additional characters can be added to the buffer. In our opinion, this makes remote exploits impossible or at least highly complex. Octet-counted framing is one of two potential framing modes. It is relatively uncommon, but enabled by default on receivers. Modules `imtcp`, `imptcp`, `imgssapi`, and `imhttp` are used for regular syslog message reception. It is best practice not to directly expose them to the public. When this practice is followed, the risk is considerably lower. Module `imdiag` is a diagnostics module primarily intended for testbench runs. We do not expect it to be present on any production installation. Octet-counted framing is not very common. Usually, it needs to be specifically enabled at senders. If users do not need it, they can turn it off for the most important modules. This will mitigate the vulnerability.
References
- https://github.com/rsyslog/rsyslog/security/advisories/GHSA-ggw7-xr6h-mmr8 Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2022/24xxx/CVE-2022-24903... Vendor Advisory
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedorapro... Vendor Advisory
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24903 Vendor Advisory
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221111-0002/ Vendor Advisory
- https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5150 Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/rsyslog/rsyslog/commit/f211042ecbb472f9d8beb4678a65d272b6f077... Patch
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/05/msg00028.html Third Party Advisory
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2022-24903 Vendor Advisory
Internet-facing
14 days
Internal
At next upgrade
- Not known to be exploited
- Needs hands-on effort to exploit
- Gives an attacker full control
Type
CWE-120Classic Buffer Overflow
CWE-1284Improper Validation of Specified Quantity in Input
Timeline
Published6 May 2022
Updated23 Oct 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2022-24903 · NVD
CVE-2022-24903 · OSV
GHSA-ggw7-xr6h-mmr8 · GHSA
DEBIAN-CVE-2022-24903 · OSV
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