CVE-2002-0817

super for Linux - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2002-0817. PoCs published by gobbles.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a format string vulnerability in the 'super' command (version 3.18) due to improper use of syslog(). It allows local privilege escalation by corrupting memory via format specifiers, targeting the .dtors section to overwrite arbitrary memory locations.

Description

Format string vulnerability in super for Linux allows local users to gain root privileges via a long command line argument.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by gobbles · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21674

This exploit leverages a format string vulnerability in the 'super' command (version 3.18) due to improper use of syslog(). It allows local privilege escalation by corrupting memory via format specifiers, targeting the .dtors section to overwrite arbitrary memory locations.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: super (version 3.18)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · Presence of vulnerable 'super' binary compiled with syslog support
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (5)

Core 5
Core References
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=102812622416695&w=2
Third Party Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/9741.php
Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_vulnwatch
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/vulnwatch/2002-q3/0045.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5367
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-139

Scores

EPSS 0.0076
EPSS Percentile 50.7%

Details

Status published
Products (4)
william_deich/super 3.12
william_deich/super 3.16
william_deich/super 3.17
william_deich/super 3.18
Published Aug 12, 2002
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026