CWE-134
AllowedUse of Externally-Controlled Format String
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.
530 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-894M-Q53C-4H82
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:30 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:30An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.4 is affected. The issue involves the "Printing" component. A format-string vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ipp: or ipps: URL.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-2403"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-04-02T01:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.4 is affected. The issue involves the \"Printing\" component. A format-string vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ipp: or ipps: URL.",
"id": "GHSA-894m-q53c-4h82",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:30:38Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:30:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-2403"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/HT207615"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97140"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038138"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8C8G-735R-WQQJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-19 00:01 – Updated: 2022-03-19 00:01This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of MariaDB. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the processing of SQL queries. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it as a format specifier. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the service account. Was ZDI-CAN-16193.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-24051"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-18T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of MariaDB. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the processing of SQL queries. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it as a format specifier. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the service account. Was ZDI-CAN-16193.",
"id": "GHSA-8c8g-735r-wqqj",
"modified": "2022-03-19T00:01:44Z",
"published": "2022-02-19T00:01:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24051"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DKJRBYJAQCOPHSED43A3HUPNKQLDTFGD"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EZFZVMJL5UDTOZMARLXQIMG3BTG6UNYW"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NJ4KDAGF3H4D4BDTHRAM6ZEAJJWWMRUO"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://mariadb.com/kb/en/security"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220318-0004"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-318"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8CJX-H52F-69JQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:34 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:34Format string vulnerability in TIBCO SmartPGM FX allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in unspecified vectors. NOTE: as of 20071016, the only disclosure is a vague pre-advisory with no actionable information. However, since it is from a well-known researcher, it is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-5545"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-10-18T20:17:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Format string vulnerability in TIBCO SmartPGM FX allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in unspecified vectors. NOTE: as of 20071016, the only disclosure is a vague pre-advisory with no actionable information. However, since it is from a well-known researcher, it is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.",
"id": "GHSA-8cjx-h52f-69jq",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:34:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:34:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-5545"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/45276"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3249"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.irmplc.com/index.php/111-Vendor-Alerts"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/482353/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/26092"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8CV4-PH8G-VJ2W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-01 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 03:44A valid, authenticated user may be able to trigger a denial of service of the XCC web user interface or other undefined behavior through a format string injection vulnerability in a web interface API.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-25492"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-01T15:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A valid, authenticated user may be able to trigger a denial of service of the XCC web user interface or other undefined behavior through a format string injection vulnerability in a web interface API.",
"id": "GHSA-8cv4-ph8g-vj2w",
"modified": "2024-04-04T03:44:48Z",
"published": "2023-05-01T15:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25492"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-99936"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8FR8-VC5W-CCVX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 02:16 – Updated: 2022-05-14 02:16Format string vulnerability in Screen Sharing Server in Apple Mac OS X before 10.9 and Apple Remote Desktop before 3.5.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a VNC username.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2013-5135"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2013-10-24T03:48:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Format string vulnerability in Screen Sharing Server in Apple Mac OS X before 10.9 and Apple Remote Desktop before 3.5.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a VNC username.",
"id": "GHSA-8fr8-vc5w-ccvx",
"modified": "2022-05-14T02:16:13Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T02:16:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-5135"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Oct/msg00004.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Oct/msg00007.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Oct/msg00008.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8FRX-MXPF-4R9P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:35 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:35Multiple format string vulnerabilities in snoop on Sun Solaris 8 through 10 and OpenSolaris before snv_96, when the -o option is omitted, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an SMB packet.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-0965"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-08-08T18:41:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple format string vulnerabilities in snoop on Sun Solaris 8 through 10 and OpenSolaris before snv_96, when the -o option is omitted, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in an SMB packet.",
"id": "GHSA-8frx-mxpf-4r9p",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:35:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:35:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-0965"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44222"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44415"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5742"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=735"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/31386"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/31535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-240101-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-355.htm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL\u0026id=766935"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30556"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020633"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2311"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8FV4-JXMF-VXH2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:19 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:19Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the DCC functionality in KVIrc 3.4 and 4.0 have unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2010-2451"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2010-06-29T18:30:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple format string vulnerabilities in the DCC functionality in KVIrc 3.4 and 4.0 have unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.",
"id": "GHSA-8fv4-jxmf-vxh2",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:19:28Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:19:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-2451"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-June/043601.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-June/043629.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.omnikron.net/pipermail/kvirc/2010-May/000867.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-08/msg00001.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32410"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/40349"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2010/dsa-2065"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/40746"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1602"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8HP7-6PV7-C4RV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-11 18:31 – Updated: 2025-02-11 18:31A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability [CWE-134] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.4.0 through 7.4.1 and before 7.2.6, FortiProxy version 7.4.0 and before 7.2.7, FortiPAM version 1.1.2 and before 1.0.3, FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2 and before 7.0.2 allows a privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code or commands via specially crafted requests.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-40721"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-11T17:15:21Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability [CWE-134] in Fortinet FortiOS version 7.4.0 through 7.4.1 and before 7.2.6, FortiProxy version 7.4.0 and before 7.2.7, FortiPAM version 1.1.2 and before 1.0.3, FortiSwitchManager version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2 and before 7.0.2 allows a privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code or commands via specially crafted requests.",
"id": "GHSA-8hp7-6pv7-c4rv",
"modified": "2025-02-11T18:31:34Z",
"published": "2025-02-11T18:31:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-40721"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-261"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8HVH-QHMM-FWFR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-03 21:30 – Updated: 2025-10-08 21:30A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If a remote attacker gains an administrator account, they can then exploit the vulnerability to obtain secret data or modify memory.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.2.6.3195 build 20250715 and later QuTS hero h5.2.6.3195 build 20250715 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-48730"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-03T19:15:45Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If a remote attacker gains an administrator account, they can then exploit the vulnerability to obtain secret data or modify memory.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions:\nQTS 5.2.6.3195 build 20250715 and later\nQuTS hero h5.2.6.3195 build 20250715 and later",
"id": "GHSA-8hvh-qhmm-fwfr",
"modified": "2025-10-08T21:30:24Z",
"published": "2025-10-03T21:30:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-48730"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-25-36"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-8J4M-FFFV-QFC2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:28 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:28Ubiquiti Networks EdgeSwitch version 1.7.3 and prior suffer from an externally controlled format-string vulnerability due to lack of protection on the admin CLI, leading to code execution and privilege escalation greater than administrators themselves are allowed. An attacker with access to an admin account could escape the restricted CLI and execute arbitrary code.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-12590"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-134"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-06-20T12:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Ubiquiti Networks EdgeSwitch version 1.7.3 and prior suffer from an externally controlled format-string vulnerability due to lack of protection on the admin CLI, leading to code execution and privilege escalation greater than administrators themselves are allowed. An attacker with access to an admin account could escape the restricted CLI and execute arbitrary code.",
"id": "GHSA-8j4m-fffv-qfc2",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:28:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:28:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12590"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hackerone.com/reports/311884"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
Mitigation
Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings. [REF-116] [REF-117]
Mitigation
Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.
CAPEC-135: Format String Injection
An adversary includes formatting characters in a string input field on the target application. Most applications assume that users will provide static text and may respond unpredictably to the presence of formatting character. For example, in certain functions of the C programming languages such as printf, the formatting character %s will print the contents of a memory location expecting this location to identify a string and the formatting character %n prints the number of DWORD written in the memory. An adversary can use this to read or write to memory locations or files, or simply to manipulate the value of the resulting text in unexpected ways. Reading or writing memory may result in program crashes and writing memory could result in the execution of arbitrary code if the adversary can write to the program stack.
CAPEC-67: String Format Overflow in syslog()
This attack targets applications and software that uses the syslog() function insecurely. If an application does not explicitely use a format string parameter in a call to syslog(), user input can be placed in the format string parameter leading to a format string injection attack. Adversaries can then inject malicious format string commands into the function call leading to a buffer overflow. There are many reported software vulnerabilities with the root cause being a misuse of the syslog() function.