CVE-2011-4862

What it is

Buffer overflow in libtelnet/encrypt.c in telnetd in FreeBSD 7.3 through 9.0, MIT Kerberos Version 5 Applications (aka krb5-appl) 1.0.2 and earlier, Heimdal 1.5.1 and earlier, GNU inetutils, and possibly other products allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long encryption key, as exploited in the wild in December 2011.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

95.1% 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. 2011-12-19 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2011-12-25 01:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2026-06-16 23:35 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 95.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 10.0 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
• It meets the bar for Drop everything: critical, and exploited or very likely to be.

Details

Published

2011-12-25 01:55 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 23:35 UTC

Exploit probability

95.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-120 · Classic buffer overflow

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Gnu Inetutils < 1.9
• Heimdal Project Heimdal ≤ 1.5.1
• Mit krb5-appl ≤ 1.0.2
• Freebsd ≤ 9.0
• Fedoraproject Fedora 15
• Fedoraproject Fedora 16
• Debian Linux 5.0
• Debian Linux 6.0

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 10.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Complete

Integrity

Complete

Availability

Complete

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-2011-4862.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2011-4862. 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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