CVE-2011-0281

CVE-2011-0281 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Mit Kerberos with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-310.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-310
• Affected product: Mit Kerberos
• Published: 2011-02-10
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The unparse implementation in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.6.x through 1.9, when an LDAP backend is used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (file descriptor exhaustion and daemon hang) via a principal name that triggers use of a backslash escape sequence, as demonstrated by a \n sequence.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-0281?

The unparse implementation in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.6.x through 1.9, when an LDAP backend is used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (file descriptor exhaustion and daemon hang) via a principal name that triggers use of a backslash escape sequence, as demonstrated by a \n sequence.

How severe is CVE-2011-0281?

CVE-2011-0281 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2011-0281 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2011-0281?

CVE-2011-0281 primarily affects Mit Kerberos. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2011-0281?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2011-0281 published?

CVE-2011-0281 was published on 2011-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2011-02/msg00004.html
• http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/kerberos/2010-December/016800.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/43260
• http://secunia.com/advisories/43273
• http://secunia.com/advisories/43275
• http://secunia.com/advisories/46397
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/8073
• http://web.mit.edu/kerberos/advisories/MITKRB5-SA-2011-002.txt
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:024
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:025
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2011-0199.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2011-0200.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/516299/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/520102/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/46265
• http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025037
• http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0012.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0330
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0333
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0347
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0464
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/65324

Affected products (11)

• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos:5-1.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:1.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Mit Kerberos

• CVE-2009-4212 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple integer underflows in the (1) AES and (2) RC4 decryption functionality in the crypto library in MIT Kerberos 5…
• CVE-2004-0523 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple buffer overflows in krb5_aname_to_localname for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.3.3 and earlier allow remote attackers…
• CVE-2001-0554 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in BSD-based telnetd telnet daemon on various operating systems allows remote attackers to execute…
• CVE-2000-0389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in krb_rd_req function in Kerberos 4 and 5 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
• CVE-2000-0390 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in krb425_conv_principal function in Kerberos 5 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
• CVE-2000-0391 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in krshd in Kerberos 5 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.

All CVEs affecting Mit Kerberos →

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• CVE-2013-0137 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The default configuration of the Digital Alert Systems DASDEC EAS device before 2.0-2 and the Monroe Electronics R189…
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