CVE-2010-4051

What it is

The regcomp implementation in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) through 2.11.3, and 2.12.x through 2.12.2, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a regular expression containing adjacent bounded repetitions that bypass the intended RE_DUP_MAX limitation, as demonstrated by a {10,}{10,}{10,}{10,}{10,} sequence in the proftpd.gnu.c exploit for ProFTPD, related to a "RE_DUP_MAX overflow."

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

40.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2011-01-13 19:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 23:24 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 40.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2011-01-13 19:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 23:24 UTC

Exploit probability

40.0% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Gnu Glibc 1.00
• Gnu Glibc 1.01
• Gnu Glibc 1.02
• Gnu Glibc 1.03
• Gnu Glibc 1.04
• Gnu Glibc 1.05
• Gnu Glibc 1.06
• Gnu Glibc 1.07

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 5.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2010-4051.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2010-4051. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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