CVE-2001-0735

cfingerd <= 1.4.3 - Buffer Overflow via Long Line in .nofinger File

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2001-0735. PoCs published by Megyer Laszlo, qitest1, teleh0r.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in cfingerd to overwrite the fopen function pointer with popen, allowing arbitrary command execution via the .nofinger file. It uses a format string attack to achieve this and requires local account access.

Description

Buffer overflow in cfingerd 1.4.3 and earlier with the ALLOW_LINE_PARSING option enabled allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long line in the .nofinger file.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Megyer Laszlo · clocalunix
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20963

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in cfingerd to overwrite the fopen function pointer with popen, allowing arbitrary command execution via the .nofinger file. It uses a format string attack to achieve this and requires local account access.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: cfingerd 1.4.3
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local account access · cfingerd 1.4.3 installed · Ability to write to /etc/motd
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by qitest1 · clocalunix
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20964

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in cfingerd (CVE-2001-0735) by writing a malicious ~/.nofinger file containing shellcode and a manipulated return address. It targets specific Red Hat 6.2 configurations with cfingerd versions 1.4.0-1.4.3 to achieve local privilege escalation to root.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: cfingerd 1.4.3 and prior
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local user access · cfingerd installed and running · ALLOW_LINE_PARSING option enabled (default) · Target system matching one of the listed configurations
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by teleh0r · perllocalunix
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20962

This exploit targets a buffer overflow in cfingerd (CVE-2001-0735) via the .nofinger file, allowing local privilege escalation to root. It includes two shellcode options: one for spawning a root shell in /tmp and another for making /etc/passwd writable.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: cfingerd <= 1.4.3-8
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · cfingerd running as root · Ability to write to the user's home directory
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (5)

Core 5
Core References
Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2914
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2001/dsa-066
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6744
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/01071120191900.00788%40localhost.localdomain
Patch, Vendor Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/192844

Scores

EPSS 0.0164
EPSS Percentile 73.3%

Details

Status published
Products (3)
infodrom/cfingerd 1.4.1
infodrom/cfingerd 1.4.2
infodrom/cfingerd 1.4.3
Published Oct 18, 2001
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026