CVE-2005-0468

NCSA Telnet - Remote Code Execution via Heap-Based Buffer Overflow in env_opt_add

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2005-0468. PoCs published by Gael Delalleau.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in the 'env_opt_add()' function of multiple vendors' Telnet clients by sending a maliciously crafted response to trigger arbitrary code execution. The Perl one-liner generates a payload that exploits the vulnerability when a user connects to a malicious Telnet server.

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the env_opt_add function in telnet.c for various BSD-based Telnet clients allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via responses that contain a large number of characters that require escaping, which consumers more memory than allocated.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Gael Delalleau · textdoslinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25303

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in the 'env_opt_add()' function of multiple vendors' Telnet clients by sending a maliciously crafted response to trigger arbitrary code execution. The Perl one-liner generates a payload that exploits the vulnerability when a user connects to a malicious Telnet server.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Multiple vendors' Telnet clients (e.g., those using common 'telnet.c' source)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must connect to a malicious Telnet server · Vulnerable Telnet client must be used
mistral-large-3 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (20)

Core 20
Core References
Various Sources vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.de/security/2005/dsa-731
Various Sources vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/usn/usn-224-1
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/341908
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_sunalert
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-57755-1
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/12919
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_conectiva
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000962
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-703
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_sunalert
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-101665-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2005:061
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9640
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/14745
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2005-327.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_freebsd
ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/CERT/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-05:01.telnet.asc
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2005-330.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_sunalert
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-57761-1
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_idefense
http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=221&type=vulnerabilities
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_sunalert
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-101671-1
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/17899

Scores

EPSS 0.2707
EPSS Percentile 97.8%

Details

Status published
Products (1)
ncsa/telnet c
Published May 02, 2005
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026