CVE-2024-28085: util-linux · Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences
Affects util-linuxSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 3.3 Low.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 2.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 82% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 27 Mar 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Red Hatutil-linuxpkg:rpm/util-linuxOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Until a fix is available, restrict local user access to the 'wall' utility or remove setgid tty permissions if feasible to reduce risk. Monitor for vendor updates regarding an official fix.
Description
wall in util-linux through 2.40, often installed with setgid tty permissions, allows escape sequences to be sent to other users' terminals through argv. (Specifically, escape sequences received from stdin are blocked, but escape sequences received from argv are not blocked.) There may be plausible scenarios where this leads to account takeover.
References
- people.rit.edu/sjf5462/6831711781/wall_2_27_2024.txt (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-xv2h-c6ww-mrjq (opens in a new tab)
- mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/ (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/5 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/skyler-ferrante/CVE-2024-28085 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/04/msg00005.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/28/1 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/6 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/9 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/8 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/7 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/28/2 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/28/3 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/27/5 (opens in a new tab)
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240531-0003/ (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Mar/35 (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-202008.html (opens in a new tab)