ZDI-CAN-11573: X.Org Server XkbSelectEvents Integer Underflow Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of X.Org Server. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of XkbSelectEvents requests. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer underflow before writing to memory. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of root.

Affected Software

1 affected component
X.Org Server

Event History

Feb 26, 2025
Advisory Published
via ZDI·07:39 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of ZDI-CAN-11573?

ZDI-CAN-11573 is classified as a high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability.

2

How do I fix ZDI-CAN-11573?

To fix ZDI-CAN-11573, update to the latest version of X.Org Server where the vulnerability has been patched.

3

Who is affected by ZDI-CAN-11573?

ZDI-CAN-11573 affects installations of X.Org Server that have not been updated to address the vulnerability.

4

What types of attacks can be performed using ZDI-CAN-11573?

Attackers can use ZDI-CAN-11573 for local privilege escalation after executing low-privileged code on the system.

5

Is there a workaround for ZDI-CAN-11573?

There are no widely recommended workarounds for ZDI-CAN-11573, so applying the security update is advised.

Contact

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