CVE-2001-1178

XFree86 xman - Buffer Overflow via MANPATH

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2001-1178. PoCs published by kf.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in xman's handling of the MANPATH environment variable to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. It creates a malicious man page entry that, when selected, copies /bin/sh to the user's home directory with SUID permissions.

Description

Buffer overflow in xman allows local users to gain privileges via a long MANPATH environment variable.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by kf · bashlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21010

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in xman's handling of the MANPATH environment variable to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. It creates a malicious man page entry that, when selected, copies /bin/sh to the user's home directory with SUID permissions.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: xman (XFree86 Window System)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · xman installed with SGID man privileges
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Vendor Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2001-07/0234.html
Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/3030
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6853

Scores

EPSS 0.0077
EPSS Percentile 50.7%

Details

Status published
Products (1)
xfree86_project/x11r6 3.3.2
Published Jul 11, 2001
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026